June 2022 Group Watch: Gov Ivey Declares June 15 “Elder Abuse Day”
Governor Kay Ivey declared June 15, 2022, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Alabama to raise awareness about mistreatment of the elderly. It is estimated at least one in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse, and Alabama is not immune to the problem. According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), last year alone, DHR’s Adult Protective Services Division received 11,122 reports of elder abuse across the state. Alabama DHR commissioner Nancy Buckner urged Alabamians to watch for the warning signs and speak up at the first sign of harm, including: increased fear or anxiety; isolation from family and friends; withdrawal from normal activities; unusual changes in behavior or sleep; unexplained injuries; unsanitary living conditions and poor hygiene; and unusual changes in financial spending patterns. The Adult Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-458-7214.
