Elder Abuse Education & Outreach

Elder abuse is a significant public health and human rights issue--locally, nationally, and around the world.  It comes in many forms--physical and sexual abuse, mental abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.  Ninety percent of the time it comes at the hands of an individual's own family.  It doesn’t discriminate--it affects senior citizens across all socio-economic groups, cultures and races. 

For more information about the issue of elder abuse, click HERE.

If someone you know is suffering from abuse or maltreatment, you can help. The following resources area available in Onondaga County:

Vera House
315-468-3260

Onondaga County Adult Protective Services
315-435-2815

Onondaga County Department of Aging & Youth
315-435-2362
 

State & National Resources:

New York State Protective Services for Adults
800-342-3009

National Center on Elder Abuse
302-831-3525
 

 
Elder Abuse Committee

The Syracuse Area Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition was formed to bring together concerned community members and representatives from community organizations and professional groups to improve local services and create system level change on issues of domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse.  There are a variety of committees, including the Elder Abuse Committee. 

OUR VISION

Vulnerable older adults in our community are honored, respected and valued, living with dignity and freedom from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

OUR MISSION

To identify, prevent and eliminate elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and to foster community awareness through collaboration, education, intervention and advocacy.

WE VALUE . . .

• the right of every older adult to live with dignity, free of the fear of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• safety, integrity, self-determination and cultural diversity by serving with empathy and compassion without judgment.
• commitment as a team to educate ourselves and the community we serve.
• a coordinated community process through the cooperative efforts of agencies and individuals to protect and serve those who cannot protect themselves.

The Committee meets the 3rd Thursday of the month from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Vera House offices to discuss issues surrounding the topic of Elder Abuse. Committee membership is diverse with individuals from healthcare, Adult Protective Services, Onondaga County Dept of Aging and Youth, Mental Health providers, Home care institutions, and other local human service providers who serve the elderly population. If you would like to participate in the Committee but are unable to attend the meetings, you can still receive e-mails about the activities of the Committee and will be informed of upcoming events. 

Click HERE if you would like to be added to the Elder Abuse Committee e-mail list.
 

Elder Abuse Education Program

Elder Abuse Education programs can be tailored to senior groups, community organizations and professionals who work with the elderly. Topics include:

• types of abuse and neglect
• indicators of abuse
• risk factors
• barriers to reporting
• screening and assessment
• intervention
• community resources

Presentations can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the needs of your group.

To schedule an Elder Abuse presentation, contact the Elder Abuse Educator at 315-425-0818 or click HERE to send an e-mail.

About Elder Abuse...Did You Know?

•  Elder Abuse is an under-recognized problem with consequences that can be devastating and even life-threatening.

•  Elder Abuse can occur anywhere – in the home, in nursing homes or in other institutions.

•  In addition to self-neglect, Elder Abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, caregiver neglect, and financial exploitation.

•  Elder Abuse affects senior citizens across all socio-economic groups, cultures and races.

•  Elderly persons are abused at a disproportionately higher rate than younger adults; last year in Onondaga County, 81 % of all reported    adult abuse victims were 60 years of age or older.

•  A recent statewide prevalence study of Elder Abuse determined that only 1 of approximately 35 incidents comes to the attention of authorities in our region.

•  In Onondaga County, 112 referrals regarding suspected Elder Abuse were received by Protective Services for Adults (PSA) during 2010.  Knowing that only 1 in 35 Elder Abuse incidents is reported, we can estimate there were over 3,800 incidents of Elder Abuse that were never reported in Onondaga County last year.

•  Someone you know may be suffering from abuse or maltreatment.

•  YOU can help!  If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, neglected or exploited, you can report it by calling the Onondaga County Dept. of Social Services, Protective Services for Adults Unit at 435-2815.  If the person is in immediate danger and needs help at once, first contact law enforcement.

Sources of information:
•  National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) 
•  New York State Office of Children & Family Services, Protective Services for Adults