Coosa DHR observes Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15
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Coosa DHR observes Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15
Special to the News
The elderly population and disabled adults in our state and communities have the right to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for every elderly individual and disabled adult in our state. Based upon reports from previous years, thousands of elderly individuals and disabled adults have been and are being abused, neglected and exploited in Alabama every year.
In an effort to promote elder abuse awareness, agencies, organizations, communities, and professionals around the world will observe June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Coosa County DHR will place purple ribbons around town, will wear purple in recognition of the date, request a proclamation from the County Commission, and will have a drive thru event to recruit adult foster homes on this date from 9-11 a.m. with snacks provided.
The national theme for this year’s observance is “Using the Past to Rewrite the Future.”
The nationally recognized color to represent elder abuse awareness is purple. We are asking each community member to please wear purple throughout the month of June.
Coosa County Department of Human Resources (DHR) Director Autumn White stated, “Community partners can help by reporting suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation and by assisting DHR with arranging services to protect those individuals that cannot protect themselves. Our community partners are essential to assisting DHR in providing for the safety of the elderly population and disabled adults.”
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) is responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation regarding the elderly and disabled adults. In FY 2020, DHR investigated 10,566 reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults statewide, which included elderly individuals and disabled adults.
DHR is requesting the assistance of all community members to help with protecting our vulnerable citizens as they have contributed so much to society. If you suspect an elderly person or an adult with disabilities is being mistreated please contact Coosa County DHR at 256-377-2000 to make a report.
Reports may also be made, toll free, to the Adult Abuse Hotline, 1-800-458-7214, and via online at aps@dhr.alabama.gov. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.