King County Council advocates for increased awareness of elder abuse

As our population ages, there is increased awareness in ensuring that seniors are safe from harm in their golden years. In recognition of this effort the Metropolitan King County Council today proclaimed June 15, 2015, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in King County.

June 15, 2015 7:13 pm
King County
King County

The following is a release from King County:

As our population ages, there is increased awareness in ensuring that seniors are safe from harm in their golden years. In recognition of this effort the Metropolitan King County Council today proclaimed June 15, 2015, 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.”

“Elder abuse is becoming even more prevalent all throughout the country as we live longer,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, the co-sponsor of the recognition. “Showing respect by honoring our vulnerable seniors is vital. I am thankful that King County is taking a proactive approach to promoting prevention and early intervention in these cases.”

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 King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles almost 500 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 segment of the U.S. population over 65 will double in the next 30 years, and they will control 70 percent of the nation’s wealth,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg. “The challenge for us is to protect the elderly and the vulnerable from those who see them as an easy mark for fraud and abuse.”

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: