Old Colony Elder Services Strives to Raise Awareness and Educate the Public of Elder Abuse Day

(SANEPR.com) June 12, 2009 --
DATELINE:  PLYMOUTH COUNTY AND AVON, EASTON AND STOUGHTON, MA.
The organization’s staff will recognize the importance of the day by wearing the color purple and several staff members will participate in Mass Home Care’s Annual Meeting at the Burlington Marriott.

Teresa Kourtz, Protective Services Supervisor and Rosemarie Kennedy, Protective Services Screening Supervisor of OCES will attend the annual meeting which will feature speakers including Hon. Charles A. Murphy, House Ways and Means Chairman, Robert Blancato, former President of the National Committee for Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) and Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care.

According to the World Health Organization, the population of those aged 60 and over will more than double by 2025. As the elder population grows, so will the number of elder abuse cases.

Elder Abuse ranges from physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse to neglect. OCES has outlined several factors that may put an elder at risk:

Strained family relationships
The depiction of elders as frail, weak and dependent
Social isolation due to physical or mental infirmaries or through loss of friends/family members
Poorly run hospitals, long-term care facilities and nursing homes

OCES’ Protective Services department helps elders who have been victims of abuse by providing resources such as medical, legal, psychological, financial and housing assistance.

“Public education and awareness campaigns are key elements in preventing elder abuse and neglect. Both the general public and practitioners should be aware of the various types of abuse, how to identify signs of abuse and know that there are agencies such as OCES where help for elders can be obtained,” noted Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To report suspected Elder Abuse, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or the statewide Elder Abuse Hotline at 800-922-2275.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman. 

The organization's mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization. 

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
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