The Ulster County Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force To Hold Conference on June 20th
Kingston, NY— Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims June 15, 2018 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Ulster County to raise community awareness about the serious issue of elder abuse. Elder abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm to an older person including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect and abandonment. Those most susceptible to abuse tend to be seniors who are physically or cognitively frail and socially isolated. The County Executive’s Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force is hosting an Elder Abuse Prevention Conference on June 20th, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at SUNY Ulster, Vanderlyn Hall, 491 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge, NY. A keynote presentation will be given by Art Mason, LMSW, Director of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program at Lifespan and a nationally recognized expert in prevention and intervention strategies regarding elder abuse. He will present on “Older Victims: Under Recognized, Under Reported: Why Elder Mistreatment is an Emerging Social Issue.” His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on “Community Response to Elder Abuse.” This event is free and open to the public with advanced reservation required. To make a reservation please call 845-340-3456.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“Like everyone, our senior citizens deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity as they continue to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers and active members of our community,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Elder abuse happens all too often. The fact is it’s underreported, with only 1 in every 14 cases of abuse reported to authorities. Perpetrators can include adult children, other family members, spouses, as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and others who target those most vulnerable. It is estimated that older adults in the United States suffer financial abuse and fraud costs of approximately $36 billion dollars annually. I appreciate the efforts of the Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force as they work to provide the public with information regarding the warning signs of elder abuse as well as critical information on the resources available in Ulster County to help.”
Shelley Wagar, Director of the Ulster County Office for the Aging, Executive Member of the Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force
“The Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force of Ulster County is an important collaborative effort between both government and private entities. Elder abuse, through its many forms, is on the rise in New York State, and across the nation,” said Shelley Wagar, Director, Ulster County Office for the Aging. “The Task Force wants to help make sure that our senior citizens understand what elder abuse is and what action to take if they suspect abuse is happening to a friend or themselves. There are an estimated one to two million seniors across the nation, age 65 and over, who have been injured, exploited or mistreated by someone. The Task Force, under the leadership of Ulster County Commissioner of Social Services Mike Iapoce, and with the support of County Executive Mike Hein, hopes to develop a strong presence and create a difference in the lives of Ulster County’s seniors in need of assistance.”
Michael A. Iapoce, Esq., Commissioner, Ulster County Department of Social Services, Chair of the Ulster County Elder Abuse Task Force
"The Ulster County Department of Social Services supports County Executive Hein in recognizing June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day and in convening the Elder Abuse Prevention Conference on June 20th at Ulster County Community College," said Michael A. Iapoce, Esq., Commissioner, Ulster County Department of Social Services and Chair of the Ulster County Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force. “These events help to raise awareness and promote education and training of professionals that provide services to seniors in our community around recognizing and responding to elder abuse. I appreciate the opportunity to join these efforts and the Department's Adult Protective Services Unit is committed to working collaboratively with all of the members of the Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force to ensure that we are keeping seniors safe and providing and connecting them to available services."
Types of Elder Abuse:
- Financial abuse, the misuse of one’s funds or credit cards, the forgery of documents and/or schemes that target elderly individuals with the intention of fraudulent activity;
- Neglect, the failure to provide a dependent senior with clothing, a clean environment, food, proper medical services, and/or shelter;
- Emotional, the use of humiliation or threats towards the elderly often resulting in unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, sudden change in alertness, mental health issues and strained personal relationships;
- Physical,the infliction of abuse that causes bodily injury, pain, or impairment;
- Sexual,Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person; and
- Abandonment, desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has physical custody of the elder or by a person who has assumed responsibility for providing care to the elder.
If you are concerned about something you have noticed, please tell someone by contacting one of the following agencies which are available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Ulster County Adult Protective Services: (845) 334-5125
- Ulster County’s Office for the Aging: (845) 340-3456
- Hudson Valley Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services: (845) 229-4680 (for those residing in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living
If you see a senior in imminent jeopardy or danger, please do not hesitate to call 911.
Below: Proclamation, Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force Conference Flyer
