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Montgomery County proclaims World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, urges reporting and outreach
Summary
The County Council recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 11, highlighting prevention, interagency cooperation and a public safety seminar for seniors at Holiday Park Senior Center; officials urged residents to report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services.
The Montgomery County Council on June 11 read a proclamation recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and called for heightened public awareness and reporting of elder abuse.
The proclamation, introduced by Council member Katz, noted seven common forms of elder abuse including physical, emotional and financial exploitation and emphasized that abuse can occur at home, online or in care settings. Council leaders urged residents to report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services and publicized an educational seminar scheduled that day at 10 a.m. at the Holiday Park Senior Center.
"Financial scams seem to never go away," the county executive said during remarks. "People toward that stage of life cannot afford'they're not working anymore often'and they cannot afford to lose their life savings to some of these scams." He thanked partner agencies for longstanding outreach and education.
Debbie Feinstein, chief of the Special Victims Division for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and chair of the county's Elder Vulnerable Adult Abuse Task Force, urged neighbors and caregivers to report concerns: "Vast majority of elder abuse and neglect is reported by not the person that is being abused, but by a family member or a caregiver or a concerned neighbor," she said, and encouraged residents to reach out to Adult Protective Services.
State's Attorney John McCarthy and James Bridgers, director of the county's Department of Health and Human Services, also spoke in support of coordinated prevention and services. McCarthy will give a keynote at the Holiday Park event, which will be live-streamed.
The council noted local data showing a large senior population in Montgomery County and reiterated that prevention relies on public education, interagency response and clear reporting channels. The proclamation was signed by the county executive and Council President Andrew Friedson; council members joined county and agency partners for a photo following the reading.
A county-organized seminar on personal and financial safety, including cybercrime risks, was scheduled immediately after the ceremony at the Holiday Park Senior Center and was available via livestream for residents unable to attend in person.
