AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES, STATE OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS MARK WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

(Hartford, CT) — Aging and Disability Services today joined Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General William Tong, the Connecticut Coalition for Elder Justice, AARP, state agency and community leaders to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlight the programs, systems and supports in place to support older adults living in Connecticut. 

This informational open house taking place this afternoon at the Keeney Center in Wethersfield will present resources about identifying, preventing, and reporting elder abuse and financial exploitation. 

"Every day our state agencies are working tirelessly to protect our seniors and ensure they have the support systems needed to maintain their independence," said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to provide an opportunity for communities to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of our seniors, because knowledge is power. By arming our older adults with the education and resources they need to safeguard their personal information, ensure that they feel safe – physically and emotionally – in their communities, and empowered, we can better prevent all forms of elder abuse." 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, marked on June 15th, is a poignant reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting our older adults. It is a day dedicated to understanding and combating the mistreatment that too many elders face, often in silence. This day serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to raise awareness about the mistreatment of older adults raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic dynamics impacting elder abuse and neglect. 

“Abuse is not always physical. It could be mental, emotional, or financial. And no one is immune,” said  Attorney General William Tong. “If you, or someone you know may be at risk, please call the Elder Justice Hotline at 860-808-5555, or file an online complaint here: ct.gov/ag/elderhotline.”

Approximately one in ten Americans age 60+ have experienced abuse. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that elder abuse is significantly under-reported, in part because so social isolation and distress makes it more difficult for this population to report abuse.  Research suggests that as few as 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities.

Elder financial abuse is a significant concern, leading to substantial losses for older Americans. However, there are steps that can be taken to prevent such exploitation. For instance, the Senior Safe Act, signed into law in 2018, allows financial institution employees to report suspected elder financial abuse without fear of breaching privacy laws.

“By focusing on education and empowerment, we can create a network of support that not only respects the rights of older adults but also celebrates their ongoing contributions to society,” said Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter. “Initiatives that foster community strength and personal independence can significantly reduce the risk of elder abuse and ensure that aging is a process marked by dignity and respect.”

“Protecting seniors from financial exploitation has long been a priority of the Department of Banking.  Thanks to the excellent collaboration with partners like the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut we have been able to assist countless elderly residents in Connecticut,” said Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez.

“It has always been a priority of the Department of Consumer Protection to ensure all older adults in our state have the tools and knowledge to help protect themselves from fraud, scams and abuse,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “But even the most prepared can fall victim, and when they do, we are here to help. Whether that’s recovering from identity theft or ensuring that more people are aware of potential scams, we are proud to work with our sister agencies and community groups to protect older adults in Connecticut.”

"Elder abuse has no place in our society. On this day, we recognize that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and to always live in a safe environment. Our communities are stronger and better when we respect our elders and the contributions they have made to our great state.  We will continue to do our best as a state to protect our seniors, ensuring that they can enjoy their lives with a strong sense of safety and security," said Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves.

We need to ensure that the people living in our communities have access to the support, information, and resources to remain safe as they age. To do this all members of our community, including older people, must know the sings of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as know what they can do if they suspect they or someone they know might be at risk,” State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Member Mairead Painter said. “The ombudsman program believes that education, prevention, and early intervention are key to addressing abuse at any age and in any setting. Knowledge is power so get informed by visiting ct.gov/ltcop  or elderjusticect.org.”

“AARP takes elder abuse seriously and our advocacy, education and outreach efforts are often focused on awareness and prevention," said  AARP CT State Director Nora Duncan . “A team of volunteer fraud fighters in Connecticut are available to help organizations and towns educate the community in in the fight against fraud and financial exploitation. We encourage anyone with questions or interest to contact us at CT@AARP.org.” 

Addressing elder abuse is a critical issue that requires a community effort. Support systems play a vital role in protecting older adults, ensuring they are aware of their rights and have access to resources that uphold their independence. For more information you can visit elderjusticect.org.