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“Know us before you need us”
YOUNGSTOWN
Resources galore were available in a Covelli Centre room full of more than 20 vendors on Wednesday – Elder Abuse Awareness Day – to help educate older adults and their families.
“People only seek things out when they need them. So I always say, ‘Know us before you need us,’” said Lisa Solley, Area Agency on Aging 11 director of communications.
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 event 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.
“What’s sad is, the abuse comes from not just strangers, but family members also,” said Joy Smith, Young Women’s Christian Association child advocate.
Smith couldn’t imagine her mother, someone who she took care of as she got older, being abused by anyone – especially family.
“Sometimes you don’t know what kind of care we’re going to be getting,” she said.
Self-care is another issue for which the community fair provided education.
Ingrid Moore, Area Agency on Aging 11 wellness coordinator, said self-neglect is a form of elder abuse – abuse to oneself.
“Many [elders] have a hard time with managing chronic conditions, so we teach them that it’s not the end of everything,” she said.
Moore said Area Agency on Aging 11 has resources that teach seniors about fall prevention, how to be assertive with doctors and how to ensure seniors are correctly taking their medications.
Jamison said programs such as these enable seniors to remain independent and live with dignity longer.
“A vast majority of older Americans prefer to stay at home,” she said. “Needing assistance robs them of their independence.”
The need to accommodate the aging population is growing.
“We have a lot of seniors living longer and living healthier, and they need to know there are services out there,” Smith said.
Jackie Giuriceo, Girard Multi Generational Center employee, said the goal of services at senior centers such as hers is to “keep people young at heart.”
Keeping those people young – and in their homes – is a feat often seemingly deemed unworthy.
“Seniors are often the forgotten population,” said Krishna Shipmon, Mahoning County Jobs and Family Services Adult Protective Services administrator. “What we have to remember is, seniors laid the foundation we just go by now.”