Did you know that every day 10,000 people turn 65 in the US alone? That trend is going to continue for nearly the next 20 years. Our demographics are shifting, and we will soon have more elderly individuals in the US than ever before. While the population is growing, we know that a startling number of elders face abusive conditions.
No one likes to talk about it, but all too often it happens and most times it goes unreported. In fact, it is estimated that every year an estimated 5 million or 1 in 10, older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported; as many as 23.5 cases go unreported. Per national statistics, elder abuse is grossly underreported because vulnerable and older adults who are being abused find it very difficult to tell anyone due to shame and fear. Research has also shown that older adults who are abused, neglected and exploited are three
times more likely to die within ten years than those who are not. Elder Abuse affects men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and social status; it occurs in private residences and in facilities.
To Raise Awareness and visibility of this silent problem, Mending The Gap Inc. will be hosting their Annual “Still I Rise” event on June 8, 2019, in honor of National Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The event will be held at the Salvation Army, 3455 Sugarloaf Pkwy in Lawrenceville. We are taking on the challenge to “Save Our Seniors”.
Attendees will help to celebrate seniors and their contributions while gathering information on types of abuse, how to report and the types of frauds and scams targeted at the elderly. The event will also include a silent auction, live entertainment, giveaways and more.
This event serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders.
If you would like more information about this event, please contact Fay Josephs @ 404-729-5185 or email (info@mending-the-gap.org. More information can be found at mendingthegap.org
