The Dallas County Department of Human Resources (DHR) Adult Protective Services Program will join other organizations nationwide in observing Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday.
“The elderly population and disabled adults in our state and communities have the right to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, this is not the case for every elderly individual and disabled adult in our state,” according to a press release from DHR. “Based upon reports from previous years, thousands of elderly individuals and disabled adults have been and are being abused, neglected and exploited in Alabama every year.”
The Trinity Lutheran Church “Senior Day Out” seniors, will partner with the Dallas County Department of Human Resources Adult Protective Services Program to present a seminar which will provide information on the new Medicare cards, Medicare part D and Medicare Advantage, conditional Part A Medicare, the Medicaid Medicare savings programs, the Medicaid liens process for nursing home cases, estate recovery issues for waiver cases and, of course, issues regarding nursing home Medicaid. The seminar will be held today beginning at 8:30 a.m. with registration, in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an international initiative to raise awareness about abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders. 

Lunch also will be served at this event. The church is located at 1900 Marie Foster St. in Selma.
The national theme for this year’s observance is “Building Strong Support for Elders.” The nationally recognized color to represent elder abuse awareness is purple. DHR is asking each community member to please wear purple on Friday.
DHR is responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation regarding the elderly and disabled adults. In Fiscal Year 2017, DHR investigated approximately 9,700 reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults statewide, which included elderly individuals and disabled adults.
DHR is requesting the assistance of all community members to help with protecting our vulnerable citizens as they have contributed so much to society. If you suspect an elderly person or an adult with disabilities is being mistreated, please contact Dallas County DHR at 334-876-4100 to make a report.

The Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) also wants to remind financial professionals and the public throughout Alabama to be on the lookout for the red flags of suspected financial abuse, including potential abuse by guardians assigned to oversee the financial matters of seniors no longer able to do so for themselves.

“A trusted guardian can be a wonderful resource. But sometimes guardians may take advantage of the trust placed in them to look after the people or assets in their care,” Director Joseph Borg said.