May is elder abuse awareness month

The Purple Ribbon Coalition hosts a seminar on elder abuse, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church.

The event is aimed to bring awareness to physical, emotional, verbal and financial elder abuse. Guest speaker is Dr. John Yacenda, former deputy director of Nevada's Department of Health and Human Services which oversees the Nevada Division for Aging Services. Resources and referral information provided at the seminar which is open to residents, caretakers and professionals.

More than 4,400 elderly were victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation in Nevada last year, according to a report released in March by the Nevada Division for Aging Services. Being dependent on others for care makes the elderly more susceptible to abusive or neglectful treatment.

The Family Support Council houses the Purple Ribbon Coalition which is comprised of service clubs dedicated to educating Douglas County on domestic abuse. May is National Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

There were 144 reported victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation in Douglas County, with the majority of the cases involving neglect. Self-neglect is most prominent, especially in Caucasian women 81 and older. Other cases were committed by the victim's spouses or children.

Residents are urged to attend the seminar and to report any suspected case of abuse or neglect by calling 911 or the Elder Protective Services at (775) 687-4210.

Information, Shannon Harris at the Family Support Council, 782-8692.