The Clay County Commission presented a proclamation recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, 2025, and heard a briefing from Clay County Senior Services on local trends in elder-abuse reports.

Tina Uhrich, director of Clay County Senior Services, described the county’s senior services programs and the distinction between raising awareness and investigation responsibilities: "We don't investigate elder abuse claims. That's not what we do," she said, while noting many people assume the department handles investigations.

Uhrich provided local statistics: in 2024 Clay County received 826 reports of elder abuse; she said the majority were for financial exploitation and that 43% of reports involved self-neglect by older adults who lacked caregivers. Uhrich also cited national figures, telling the commissioners that "1 in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year, and only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever come to authorities' attention." She thanked law enforcement, the prosecuting attorney's office and other partners for their work on exploitation cases.

Commissioners recognized Senior Services’ outreach and programs that help older adults remain independent, including case management, meals-on-wheels and transportation services. The commission presented an honorary resolution acknowledging the county’s outreach and the upcoming awareness day.