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Montgomery County spotlights elder-abuse response ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Summary
County leaders and Adult Protective Services urged neighbors to watch for signs of elder abuse ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 17, outlined how to report suspected abuse and described multiagency response teams that investigate and refer cases to prosecutors.
County Executive Mark, joined by Mario Mazaren of the Department of Health and Human Services and representatives of the state's attorneys office, used the countys weekly briefing on Wednesday to urge residents to report suspected elder abuse and to describe how Montgomery County responds to incidents.
"If something doesn't feel right, call 240-777-3000," Mark said, announcing the countys reporting line and the June 17 observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Mario Mazaren, introduced as a senior administrator for assessment within Adult Protective Services, described the countys investigative teams and what qualifies as elder abuse: "In general, it refers to an intentional or neglectful act by a caregiver or trusted individual that leads to or might lead to harm of a vulnerable adult," he said.
Mazaren said the county maintains three adult protective service investigation teams staffed by licensed social workers and nurses and that abuse can occur in homes, institutions or public settings. He listed common risk factors including isolation, dementia and caregiver substance-use or mental-health problems and warned that financial exploitation and romance or online scams target people who are lonely or less internet-savvy.
"National literature notes that one in 10 older adults will be maltreated annually," Mazaren said, adding that underreporting is common and that the county relies on mandated reporters and neighbors to bring cases to attention. He stressed that Adult Protective Services will screen reports and determine whether an assessment or investigation is warranted.
Debbie Feinstein of the state's attorneys office (present at the briefing) described the prosecutors role in holding offenders accountable: "In my office particularly to hold offenders accountable for committing crimes whether they be financial, physical, or sexual or neglectful," she said, emphasizing prosecution as one avenue of protection when a crime is alleged.
The briefing reiterated practical warning signs residents can watch for—withdrawal, confusion about finances, missed medical appointments and sudden discomfort around a caregiver—and invited media or residents to contact county staff for follow-up. The county also said more information and event details are available on the Montgomery Countys website and repeated the reporting number 240-777-3000.
Montgomery County will mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a public event on June 17 at the Schwin House Senior Center in Silver Spring at 10 a.m., county officials said. The briefing closed with county staff offering to provide additional statistics and follow-up materials to reporters.
