World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
This year, for the first time, the State of West Virginia recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2010 with a well-attended rally at the State Capitol in Charleston, WV.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy A. Hardy read a Proclamation signed by Governor Manchin. Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals took time from her busy schedule to deliver the keynote address. Justice Davis discussed her commitment to focus on how the court system can better serve seniors as a priority for 2010. She emphasized elder abuse often occurs behind closed doors at the hands of stressed-out caregivers. She pointed out that just as caregiver stress is no excuse for child abuse, it is no excuse for elder abuse.
Kanawha County Presecuting Attorney Mark Plants was also a speaker. He voiced a strong commitment to prosecuting all forms of elder abuse, including financial exploitation. Financial exploitation is often under-reported and he urged anyone who suspects elder financial exploitation to make a police report.
This event was sponsored by:
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
- Kanawha Valley Senior Services
- West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services
- WV State Auditor's Office
- Legal Aid of West Virginia
- AARP Foundation
- WV Supreme Court
Adult Protective Services (APS)
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, is the agency within West Virginia that is responsible for providing protective services for adults, ages eighteen and older. Adult Protective Services may be provided to both incapacitated adults who live in their own home adults and residents of facilities such as nursing homes, personal care homes, residential board and care homes and adult family care homes.
Adult Protective Services include specific intervention activities that are intended to protect mentally and/or physically incapacitated adults from abuse and neglect by others and from self-neglect. The specific intervention activities that are provided by the Office of Social Service include investigation, assessment, and time-limited case management.
Anyone may make a report of adult abuse or neglect. In addition, certain groups of individuals are considered mandatory reporters and are required by law to make a report. If you know of or suspect that an incapacitated adult is being/has been abused or neglected you should immediately report this to the Department of Health and Human Resources. You may report abuse or neglect of an adult by calling:
- your local Department of Health and Human Resources, Adult Services Unit
- the statewide HOTLINE at 1-800-352-6513
If you request, your name as a reporter of adult abuse or neglect, will remain confidential and will not be shared with others. Reporters are also protected by law from civil or criminal liability when a report is made in good faith.
