Public Health

AdventHealth Invites Community to World Elder Abuse Awareness Month Event

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  • Victoria Dunkle
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— AdventHealth Invites Community to World Elder Abuse Awareness Month Event

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.; May 28, 2024 – More than 10% of people aged 65 and older in the United States experience some form of elder abuse each year. AdventHealth’s Age-Friendly Initiative team is empowering our community to help end this cycle of abuse that can lead to premature death, the deterioration of physical and psychological health, destruction of social and familial ties, devastating financial loss and more.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. AdventHealth invites members of our 65+ population, their families and caregivers, and our community partners to a special World Elder Abuse Awareness event. We will launch this awareness month by starting crucial conversations about the signs of elder abuse and the resources to prevent it.

“Elder abuse can be very complicated. It may not just be physical abuse," Anna Hicks, M.D., of AdventHealth Age-Friendly Services said. "It can be emotional abuse. It can be financial abuse.. it’s not uncommon at all. And many of the times, we don’t notice it, because people who are being abused live in isolation."

Our special guest speaker, Cori Search, is the Lead Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Region B for Land of Sky Regional Council. She will share the different types of elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect and how we can spot the signs of abuse. Search will also explain what can be done if you know someone who is being abused, exploited, neglected.

Signs of physical elder abuse can be bruises, scratches, broken bones or worse, explained Search. She also explained that an older person who is being emotionally abuse may avoid eye contact, have low self-esteem or appear scared, depressed or more withdrawn.

To help prevent elder abuse:

  • Visit loved ones as frequently as possible
  • Look at their overall health and well-being
  • Check their home or facility to make sure it is well care for

For older adults, here are tips to help protect yourself from abuse:

  • Stay in touch with family and friends
  • Reach out to a trusted person
  • Reach out to community agencies or Adult Protective Services

If you or someone you know are a victim of elder abuse, you can report 24/7 to your county's Department of Health and Human Services:

AdventHealth Age-Friendly: World Elder Abuse Awareness Event

Friday, May 31 | 1 pm

AdventHealth Age-Friendly Center

Located at the AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty at Laurel Park

1881 Pisgah Drive, Hendersonville, NC

For event details, visit AdventHealthNC.com/Events.

More about Elder Abuse:

Elder abuse is intentional or negligent actions by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. The US Justice Department says elder abuse is a term used to describe any or all of the following: physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect and abandonment, and sexual abuse.

We saw a dramatic increase in elder abuse cases during the pandemic. With the entire Baby Boomer Generation reaching age 65 by 2030, helping our communities understand the signs, risks and most importantly the prevention of elder abuse has never been more crucial.

More about AdventHealth’s Age-Friendly Health Care:

At AdventHealth, it’s our privilege to serve older adults and their caregivers with respect, compassion, and nationally recognized expertise. From our network of internal medicine and specialist providers to our emergency care and hospital services, our team members apply the best medical practices in caring for older adults.

We are honored to be recognized as the first health system in our region to hold the Age-Friendly designation. Our primary and specialty providers partner with you to assess your ongoing health needs and connect you to resources that support your health goals.

To learn more about Age-Friendly care or schedule an appointment, visit AdventHealthNC.com/AgeFriendly or call 855-774-LIFE (5433).