Covelli Centre event offers resources to prevent elder abuse

YOUNGSTOWN

Resources galore were available in a Covelli Centre room full of more than 20 vendors today – Elder Abuse Awareness Day – to help educate older adults and their families.

Dorothy Barto, Alzheimer’s Assistance and Referral Network director, along with several other organization representatives, said she wished she could find a way to get the word out to all families about the numerous resources available to older adults and their caretakers.

“We are here to educate and inform people about what’s available so they have the best quality of life,” said Stephanie Oakes, Youngstown City Health District public health nurse.

Deanna Spirko, Windsor House community relations representative, said elder abuse is an issue that hits close to her heart and she thinks bringing the community together at the fair to spread awareness is fantastic.

Dallas Jamison, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging director of communications, agreed. Through public awareness she hopes to break through to people and close the prevalent information gap.

“Families need to get behind their person and help and support them,” Barto said.

Sometimes just having family is not enough.

Read more about the issue in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.