Abuse has no age limits

SANDUSKY — June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. There was a day when no one discussed wife-beating and child abuse. Thank goodness the U.S. society has evolved over the last 50 years. The same can't be said when it comes to elder abuse. Older people are sometimes referred to as the "invisible population" — overlooked, dismissed and undervalued. According to the Ohio Department on Aging about 170,000 cases of abuse go unreported each year. Elder abuse can take many forms. The Ohio Department of Aging explains it like this: • Neglect or isolation occurs when someone's basic needs are not being met, putting them at higher risk for getting sick or hurt. For example, the person may not be going to doctor appointments, taking their medications, eating well or spending quality time with others. Neglect or isolation can be the result of the person's own choices, or it may be due to the actions or inaction of someone is supposed to help meet their needs. • Physical abuse occurs when one person intentionally hurts another person through physical force. Physical abuse may include pushing, hitting, slapping, pinching and other acts that cause physical pain or injury. When an individual depends on others to take care of them, physical abuse may also include being placed in the wrong position in a bed or chair, force feeding, being restrained or being given medication without their knowledge or consent. • Emotional or psychological abuse occurs when a person is psychologically hurt by the words or actions of another person. Emotional abuse may include insults, threats and intimidation, being put into humiliating situations, violations of privacy and ignoring the individual's rights to make decisions for themselves. • Financial abuse and exploitation occur when one person uses another person's money, information or belongings for their own personal benefit. For example, a person may steal money, sell or trade their property, keep money and property away from the other person, access bank accounts and use credit cards or target them in a scam. Someone can be exploited by a stranger or someone they know, event trusted friends and family members. Want to go? From 1:30-3 p.m. on June 20, at the third floor of the Erie County Office Building, 247 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, will be a forum titled Becoming Familiar with Elder Abuse and What Happens After It Is Reported? Serving Our Seniors is hosting this discussion with a panel of experts in the field, to help community members recognize elder abuse, become comfortable discussing it and reporting it. Panelists are: • Julie Kyer, adult protective services investigator with Erie County Job and Family Services • Heidi Turner-Stone, section chief of adult protective services with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services • April Wehrle, senior elder services coordinator of the elder justice unit, crime victims section with the Ohio Attorney General's Office • Janice Hitzeman, attorney inspector with the Ohio Department of Commerce's securities division An audience of 30 or more is required. RSVP no later than June 16. Contact Serving Our Seniors Reservation Line 419-504-0585 or mail@servingourseniors.org. Leave your name, phone number and the date of this forum - June 20, 2025 - to make your reservation. If the forum is canceled, you will be notified by phone.