Wichita County proclaims June 2025 Elder Abuse Awareness Month; APS outlines services and outreach

Wichita County commissioners on Tuesday proclaimed June 2025 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month and heard from Adult Protective Services staff about how the agency responds to reports and performs community outreach.

Sharon Meer, introduced as a supervisor with Adult Protective Services, read the proclamation and presented it to meeting attendees. Sharon said the agency receives community referrals and emphasized prevention and assistance, providing a phone number for residents to call for help.

"If you know of an elder or disabled individual that needs assistance, please contact us at +1 802525400, and we will certainly see what we can do to help that individual," Sharon said. Hilda, an APS representative, told the court the department emphasizes the "least restrictive" options — helping people stay in their homes through services such as installing grab bars, ramps, home‑care attendants and connecting family or neighbors.

Commissioners and staff praised APS work and noted the agency’s role in both protecting adults and improving living conditions, citing instances when APS provided critical items and services to clients.

The proclamation text recited to the court cited statewide reporting data and said elder abuse is underreported; it concludes by urging Wichita County residents to work to reduce abuse and neglect of older adults and people with disabilities. The court did not take any separate policy action at the meeting; the item was presented as a proclamation and informational update.

APS representatives said they also perform community outreach and maintain a speakers bureau that participates in events across the region.