Local Official Urging People To Recognize Dangers Of Elder Abuse
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Seniors, caregivers and governments are joining hands in observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The crown lights on the PECO Building have been flashing the message "There's No Excuse For Elder Abuse" along with the web address www.stopseniorscams.org.
But Joe Snyder, Director of Older Adult Protective Services at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging says much more needs to be done to combat what he says is a problem that is largely ignored.
"We're talking about physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, self neglect, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation and abandonment," he explains.
Snyder is urging people to recognize the dangers this vulnerable segment of the population faces.
"We're asking [people] to check up on them, to go to various places where there's education about this problem and, in a political sense, to contact your senators and representatives and ask them to support appropriation of the elder justice act," says Snyder.
