Councilmembers advocate prevention of elder abuse

June 16, 2014

Summary

In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Story

In recognition of King County’s growing senior population and concerns about the safety of vulnerable adults, members of the Metropolitan King County Council today proclaimed June 15, 2014, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in King County.

“Looking out for the safety and well-being of vulnerable seniors is critically important,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips . “Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a reminder that our seniors have spent a lifetime contributing to our community and keeping us safe, and now we must protect them from harm in their golden years.”

On June 15, communities around the globe observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The proclamation presented by the Council encourages everyone to help in the campaign to eliminate elder abuse. It also highlights the public and private agencies that work together to combat elder abuse, including the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County.

Elder abuse consists of intentional and negligent acts that harm seniors or jeopardize their health or welfare, including emotional or physical abuse, abandonment or financial loss and is inflicted upon vulnerable seniors across all socio-economic levels.

The most common perpetrators of elder abuse are caregivers or other trusted individuals such as a spouse, sibling or child, making it a form of domestic violence, according to The National Center on Elder Abuse.

The County Council’s proclamation was read in conjunction with a proclamation from the Seattle City Council also recognizing efforts to highlight Elder Abuse prevention efforts by the City of Seattle.

“Elders face increased physical and financial vulnerability,” said Seattle City Councilmember Sally J. Clark , the sponsor of the City’s proclamation. “Today we honor our community partners who work together with elders to deliver safe, supportive, and caring services and advocate against abuse and mistreatment.”

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles about 350 cases a year involving elder neglect, abuse and financial exploitation, and recognizes the need for focusing on those who take advantage of the vulnerable elderly population in King County. A specially trained unit is tasked with investigating and prosecuting elder abuse cases.

The Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County works with community partners to raise awareness, increase reporting of elder abuse and provide case management and advocacy services county-wide to survivors of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

Councilmembers called for everyone in the community to help prevent elder abuse by recognizing and reporting any signs, such as physical trauma, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and fear of family members, friends or caregivers. For more information, you can:

• Go to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s web site: www.kingcounty.gov/Prosecutor or call (206) 296-9010
• Contact the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County’s at their website:  http://www.agingkingcounty.org/ or call (206) 684-0660

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PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons; and

WHEREAS, King County’s senior citizens deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, to enable them to continue to serve as leaders, mentors and volunteers who contribute to the vitality of the community; and

WHEREAS, with increasing life expectancy, over 11 percent of King County’s population is now age 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, the National Center on Elder Abuse has determined that elder abuse consists of intentional or negligent acts, including by a caregiver or other trusted individual, such as spouse, sibling, or child, that results in emotional or physical harm, abandonment, or financial loss to a vulnerable elder; and

WHEREAS, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles approximately 350 felony cases a year involving elder neglect, abuse, and financial exploitation and has responded by creating a unit trained to prosecute elder abuse cases; and

WHEREAS, Seattle’s Aging and Disability Services (ADS) serving as the King County Area Agency on Aging is committed to working with community partners to raise awareness, increase reporting of elder abuse, and provide case management and advocacy services countywide to survivors of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation; and

WHEREAS, everyone can help in the campaign to eliminate elder abuse by watching for and reporting signs, such as physical trauma, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and fear of family members, friends, or caregivers; and

WHEREAS, communities around the globe recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day every June 15th;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim June 15, 2014, as

ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

in King County and encourage everyone to commit to building safer lives and a safe community for our elderly residents.

DATED this sixteenth day of June, 2014.




Joined by County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, representatives from the City of Seattle and Ellie the Wonder Dog, the Council declared June 15, 2014 Elder Abuse Awareness Day in
King County