Montgomery County to Hold 7th Annual Senior Safety Forum in Recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; Will Feature Exhibitors, Workshops and Demonstrations

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 2, 2017

On Wednesday, June 14, Montgomery County will host its 7th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Senior Safety Forum from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This year’s event will be held in partnership with the City of Rockville at the Rockville Senior Center located at 1150 Carnation Drive. Seniors, their families and others who care for seniors are invited to attend this free event to learn more about the benefits and services available in “Age-Friendly Montgomery County.”

Abuse of the elderly is a growing and increasingly recognized concern both nationally and in Montgomery County, especially as baby boomers age and the number of senior citizens increases.

The Alliance on Aging provides a general definition of elder abuse: “Although each state has a different definition, elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, unintentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. This abuse manifests itself in many forms, including financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, and self-neglect and occurs both in the community and facilities.”

Recent research, reported by the Alliance on Aging and other senior service organizations, found that as many as one in ten older Americans and one in two people with dementia are victims of elder abuse. But, for every case reported there are approximately 23 that go unreported. Only one in 44 cases of financial abuse is reported.

In Montgomery County the 60-and-over population exceeds 188,500 or about 18.8 percent of the County’s total population of over one million, and is increasing faster than the total population.

The event agenda includes speakers and exhibitors on topics including: emergency preparedness, home safety and resources in Montgomery County for seniors. Activities are planned to raise awareness of not only general senior safety, but also elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, Internet Technology safety, scams against seniors and money management. 

The forum also includes door prizes, free bag lunches while supplies last, free blood pressure checks, police and fire/rescue demonstrations and musical entertainment.

Montgomery County and City of Rockville elected officials, public safety and health and recreation officials will be in attendance. Debbie Feinstein, chief of the Special Victims Division of the State’s Attorney’s Office and Chair of the Montgomery County Elder/Vulnerable Abuse Task Force, will deliver the keynote address.

The Senior Safety forum is hosted by the Office of the State’s Attorney, Montgomery County Department of Police, Department of Health and Human Services, the Fire and Rescue Service and the Office of the County Attorney. Contributing agencies include: the Ombudsman Program, Adult Protective Services and Licensure and Regulatory Services. Partners include the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks, ElderSAFE Center and Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Funding is provided in part by the Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation.

For information about County Senior Services go to: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs/, click on “Older Adult Services.”

# # #

Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Lucille Baur 240-777-6507