June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Join with SeniorCare and community leaders as we rally to raise awareness of the tragedy that is elder abuse. Bring your business banners and hand-made signs and join the fight!
Gloucester, June 2, 11am-12:30pm
Fitz Henry House parking lot
Rockport, June 7, 12pm-1:30pm
Five Corners
Beverly, June 15, 10am-11:30am
City Hall
Ipswich, June 16, 10:00am-11:30am
Five Corners
Manchester, June 21, 10:30am-12:00pm
Town Common
Hamilton, June 29, 10:30am
Council on Aging
Topsfield, June 30, 3:30pm
Council on Aging
To learn more about Elder Abuse and how you can prevent it, contact SeniorCare’s Protective Services Dept at 978-281-1750 or visit www.seniorcareinc.org/protective-services/.
June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. SeniorCare Inc. and several non-profit and civic organizations are holding special events throughout the North Shore to increase awareness of this growing issue in our society.
10,000 people turn 65 in the US every day. This trend is going to continue for the next 20 years. Our demographics are shifting, and we now have more elder people in the US than ever before. At the same time that the population is growing, we know that a startling number of elders face abusive situations. Every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10, older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 14 cases go unreported.
Elder abuse and neglect and take on various forms. It can be physical, emotional/verbal, sexual, financial, neglect by a caregiver, or self-neglect. Elder abuse can occur anywhere – in the home, in nursing homes, or other institutions. It affects seniors across all socioeconomic groups, cultures, and races.
If you suspect abuse or self-neglect, don’t assume that someone has already reported it. In cases of immediate danger call 911. Otherwise, you can the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 800-922-2275.
SeniorCare is participating in seven rallies to increase awareness of Elder Abuse this year. The first rally was held in Gloucester on Thursday, June 2, in downtown Gloucester. Gloucester’s event was supported by the Gloucester Police Department, the Gloucester Council on Aging, and SeniorCare.
Rockport’s “Show You Care” rally will be held on Tuesday, June 7, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Five Corners (the intersection of Broadway, Railroad Avenue, and Main Street). This event is supported by the Rockport Police Department, the Rockport Council on Aging and SeniorCare.
Beverly will hold a rally in front of Beverly City Hall on Wednesday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Beverly’s event is supported by the Beverly Police Department, HAWC, the Beverly Council on Aging, and SeniorCare.
Ipswich will hold a rally on Thursday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Five Corners (the intersection of Central and Market Streets). This event is supported by the Ipswich Police Department, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, the Ipswich Council on Aging and SeniorCare.
There will be a rally in Manchester-By-The-Sea on the Town Common in front of Town Hall on Tuesday, June 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Manchester’s event is supported by the Manchester Police Department, SeniorCare and the Manchester Council on Aging.
There will be a rally at the Hamilton Council on Aging on Wednesday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. Hamilton’s event is supported by the Hamilton Police Department, SeniorCare and the Hamilton Council on Aging.
Topsfield’s Rally will wrap-up the month at the Topsfield Council on Aging on Thursday, June 30, at 3:30 p.m. Following presentations concerning Elder Abuse, musician Clyde Wheatley will perform at 4:00 p.m. Topsfield’s event is supported by the Topsfield Police Department, SeniorCare and the Topsfield Council on Aging.
Concerned citizens are invited to participate in any or all of these events. Join SeniorCare and our local safety agencies in bringing light to the horrendous crime of elder abuse. Please stop by to show your support!
SeniorCare is committed to identifying and stopping Elder Abuse!