Granby Senior Center Joins Worldwide Initiative on Elder Abuse

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15th, 2019

The Granby Senior Center will be taking part in a worldwide initiative to raise awareness about the issue of Elder Abuse in our communities. The Center will be offering educational material to members and the community from June 1st through June 15th. They will also be using Social Media to bring attention to this issue.

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for our communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffirm our country’s commitment to the principle of justice for all.

Elder abuse is the mistreatment or harming of an older person. It can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, along with neglect and financial exploitation. Ageism (biases against or stereotypes about older people that keep them from being fully a part of their community) also play a role in enabling elder abuse.

Red flags of abuse include emotional and behavioral changes, fear or anxiety, isolation or being unresponsive, depression. Physical signs include broken bones, bruises and welts, cuts, sores, burns, torn, stained or bloody underclothing, unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, dirtiness, poor nutrition or dehydration, poor living conditions and lack of medical aids. In the case of financial abuse, you may see unusual changes in a bank account or money management, changes in a will or other financial document, fraudulent signatures on documents or unpaid bills.

To report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Connecticut:

• 888-385-4225 (for suspected elder mistreatment in the home, in-state line)
• 800-203-1234 (for suspected elder mistreatment in the home, out-of-state line)
• 211 (for suspected elder mistreatment in the home, in-state, after hours)
• 866-388-1888 (for suspected elder mistreatment in long-term care facilities, in-state line)
• 860-424-5200 (for suspected elder mistreatment in long-term care facilities, out-of-state line)

For More Information Contact: Lori Blackburn, 860-844-5352