World Elder Abuse Awareness DayActivities & Press Conference Planned.
Contact: Kelly Barrett Sarama, Esq.
Title: Director of Development & Communications
Tel: (716) 853-3087 x229
Email: ksarama@elderjusticeny.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is June 15th, 2023, and during the entire month of June, communities around the world work together to promote an understanding of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. The Western New York WEAAD campaign is a collaboration of New York State, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Buffalo, the Erie County Council on Elder Abuse, Live Well Erie County, and Center for Elder Law & Justice. The press conference will take place on June 15th at 10:00 AM at the Erie County Clerk’s Office, 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo.
The theme of the campaign is “Age Fearlessly” and will build upon last year’s “Reach Out, Speak Out,” by emphasizing the work and accomplishments of older adults, who have laid the foundation for our local communities. The partner organizations involved are making a concerted effort to highlight the issue of elder abuse, and what resources are available to older adults. Thanks to Meals on Wheels and FeedMore of WNY, information will be included in meal deliveries during the month of June.
Caring Cards are being collected from area school children to share with seniors at various locations. Any school or other organization that would like to participate in the Caring Cards Challenge can do so year-round, by contacting the Center for Elder Law & Justice. The organizations are also collaborating on a social media campaign throughout the month of June, and landmarks will be lit up in purple on June 15th, including Buffalo City Hall, Sahlen Field, The Peace Bridge, and Niagara Falls, to name a few.
“Elder financial fraud and senior exploitation is a serious, national problem, and a despicable crime. Sometimes fraudsters target their loved ones, use fake credit repair ads, impersonate government organizations, and more. It’s not only a financial issue, either. Any act of abuse that causes harm to an elderly person is a violation of human rights. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, FBI Buffalo and our federal, state, and local partners are committed to protecting your loved ones. If you or someone you know may have been a victim, contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center,” said Matthew Miraglia, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office.
“We have a dedicated team of prosecutors in Erie County who are committed to serving, protecting and obtaining justice for the most vulnerable members of our community. No one, especially senior citizens, should be afraid or embarrassed to come forward about being the victim of a crime. By reporting a crime or scam, you allow law enforcement to investigate and potentially stop these criminals from harming someone else. I want older adults to know that their wellbeing is important and that their testimony is essential in order to obtain a successful conviction. I encourage everyone to check on their elderly family members, friends and neighbors… and urge you to call my office if you suspect that someone has been the victim of a scam, abuse or other crime,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.
“Seniors and older adults are the matriarchs and patriarchs of our families. They have raised generations and shared their wisdom and insights. They deserve to be protected and not preyed upon by scam artists. I applaud Center for Elder Law and Justice and its partners for their collective efforts to bring awareness to and eliminate elder abuse,” commented Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.
NYS Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace said, "The purpose of Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to draw attention to the millions of seniors who are suffering from physical, emotional, or financial abuse, so that we can all help identify signs of mistreatment or coercion. I thank the Center for Elder Law & Justice for their work in support of seniors in Western New York.
NYS Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, “Seniors in our community and across New York State deserve our respect. That includes the right to live without fear, knowing that programs and agencies are in place to support them and keep them safe. I encourage seniors and those who care for them to reach out for help when needed. We are fortunate to have numerous organizations in place to identify cases of physical, emotional and financial abuse and how to prevent them. Federal, state and local authorities are also committed to enforcing the laws put in place to protect our seniors and to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Together, we can help ensure our elders live in peace, comfort and security."
Karen Nicolson, CEO of Center for Elder Law & Justice said, “The crime of elder abuse is complex, both because the perpetrators are often family members or those in positions of trust, and because factors such as isolation, cognitive impairments, and disabilities of survivors can make identification and intervention difficult. This is particularly true of financial exploitation, believed to be the most prevalent and least reported form of elder abuse. We are honored to have the support of so many leaders and partners in our region who bring awareness to the issues on elder abuse and help create a safer environment for older adults in our communities. Working together to spread awareness throughout our community allows us to increase the knowledge of others and help reach those who may be afraid to speak up.”
The Center for Elder Law & Justice, a member of the Erie County Council on Elder Abuse, is proud to partner with these local agencies and organizations to bring awareness to this important issue. Please contact Kelly Barrett Sarama, Director of Development & Communications with any questions at: ksarama@elderjusticeny.org or (716) 853.3087 x 229.
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At CELJ (pronounced CELL-JAY) (Center for Elder Law & Justice), we advocate for justice at all stages of life to ensure that our clients may live independently and with dignity. Since 1978, our team of lawyers, paralegals, and social workers has provided comprehensive free legal services to the WNY community’s older adults, individuals with disabilities, and financially eligible population. We serve as guardian for court-appointed older adults and people with disabilities, most of whom experienced abuse in the past. We are a trustee for WNY Coalition Pooled Trusts, which takes individuals out of the cycle of poverty, by allowing them to live in the community and maintain a comfortable quality of life. CELJ’s main office is located in Buffalo, New York, and we have satellite offices in Niagara and Chautauqua counties, as well as medical-legal partnerships at Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo General Medical Center, and John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital.
