Bristol Elder Services observes the fifth annual World Elder Abuse Day
By DEREK VITAL
GateHouse News Service
Jun 19, 2010
Elected officials and senior citizen advocates commemorated the fifth annual World Elder Abuse Day at Bristol Elder Services last week.
The program was sponsored by the Southeastern Alliance for Elders, whose mission is to prevent elder abuse through community initiatives. Several in attendance wore purple ribbons to show their support for ending elder abuse.
There have been 1,394 reported cases of elder abuse in Bristol County in fiscal 2010, an increase of 50 cases from the prior year, said Lisa Ouellette-Kurowski, protective supervisor for Bristol Elder Services.
Ouellette-Kurowski detailed the plight of “Mrs. B,” an 84-year old whose 50-year old unemployed son was living with her. Mrs. B was hospitalized with a fractured hip and told officials she fell. Red flags were raised when her son was adamant she return home rather than go to a rehabilitation facility. After a second hospitalization, Mrs. B disclosed that her son was abusive toward her when he was drinking. An examination revealed multiple fractures that had healed.
Fearing for her safety, Mrs. B opted to enter a rehab facility and decided to stay there. While she was rehabilitating, her son gained control of her finances and drained her bank accounts.
“The staff at Bristol Elder Services can help a senior in such a situation,” said Ouellette-Kurowski. “They are going to meet with her, do the initial assessment and allow her to make decisions for herself.”
Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman, representing Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter, said her office is dedicated to keeping seniors safe.
“The district attorney’s office believes that protecting our elders is one of our highest priorities,” said Rudman.
Rudman said district attorney’s staffers have been touring area Council on Aging facilities and speaking to clients about their rights.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson mentioned several programs in his office that take a proactive approach to fighting elder abuse. Hodgson said several local communities have formed triads, which involve partnerships between the Councils on Aging, police departments and the sheriff’s office. The “Are You Okay” program arranges for daily calls to 180 seniors to check on their well-being, and Project Lifesaver provides tracking bracelets for dementia sufferers. Local police are notified if the wearer wanders away from home, and the person is typically located within 30 minutes.
“All of us in government are committed to partner with you, marshal our forces and take care of the elderly in our community,” Hodgson told the Bristol Elder Services staffers in attendance.
Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan and New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang presented proclamations to Bristol Elder Services for their dedication to working with local seniors.
Copyright 2010 The Taunton Gazette. Some rights reserved
SOURCE: The Taunton Gazette
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