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Pennsylvania Department of Aging Urges Public to Report Elder Abuse, Neglect

Gov. Corbett Proclaims June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To mark the June 15 observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging is reminding the public of the many forms that abuse can take and the ways in which concerned residents can report suspected abuse and neglect.

"Elder abuse is a growing problem throughout the state, country and world," said Secretary of Aging Brian Duke . "Our highest priority is protecting vulnerable older adults from abuse and making others aware of the signs of neglect, abuse, and exploitation. This special day of awareness is an ideal time to educate the public on ways that they can to identify and report abuse."

Elder abuse can include neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial and material abuse. Signs of abuse can include bruises or broken bones, weight loss, or withdrawing large sums of money from an account without an apparent reason.

Last year, more than 18,000 cases of suspected abuse and neglect were reported to the department's protective services program. Nearly 40 percent of those reports were substantiated. Many of those cases were neglect, financial exploitation and emotional abuse. The number of reported cases is expected to continue to rise as Pennsylvania's population ages.

Anyone can confidentially report elder abuse by calling the statewide Elder Abuse hotline at 1-800-490-8505, around the clock, or by contacting their local Area Agency on Aging.

For more information on how to prevent and report elder abuse, visit www.aging.state.pa.us.

Governor Tom Corbett has issued a proclamation declaring June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. The proclamation defines the responsibility of every Pennsylvanian to protect the health, safety, dignity and rights of older adults. The statewide observance coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Media contact: Christina Reese , 717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging