Santee-Lynches Council of Governments Held Elder Abuse Awareness Event on June 15 in Celebration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

PRESS RELEASE: June 18, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Connie Munn (803-774-1376)

Inaugural Elder Abuse Awareness event drew over 50 participants, with a goal of raising awareness and educating community about serious nature of elder abuse.

SUMTER, SC – The Santee-Lynches Council of Governments and its Area Agency on Aging (AAA) hosted an inaugural Elder Abuse Awareness Walk at Dillon Park on Saturday, June 15. Over 50 participants attended the event which featured opening remarks by Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr, and a one-mile walk for all ages. The event goal was to raise awareness about the growing and serious problem of elder abuse. June marks Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse and to being unable to defend themselves and get help as fear and infirmity can be major barriers to seeking and getting help. Every year an estimated 5 million or 1 in 10 older Americans experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. “In Sumter County there are approximately 5,952 people who are 65 or older,” noted Chairman James T. McCain Jr, Sumter County Council. “That equates to approximately 595 elders potentially being abused in our county.” Experts believe that for every case reported for elder abuse, as many as 23.5 cases go unreported.

“Elder abuse comes in many forms including physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse and also neglect,” said Connie Munn, AAA Director. “Elderly people are human and deserve the same dignity and respect as people of all other age groups.” Munn notes that spotting and challenging abuse in the elderly isn’t easy. “Some of our aging population are isolated having outlived family and friends, and some are abused in institutions where abuse is not spotted or is covered up, and in some cases older adults are not given priority by authorities in abuse matters. It’s up to all of us to recognize it and if you see something, say something.” The role of the AAA is to plan, coordinate, administer and assess a comprehensive and coordinated delivery system of services to older persons. The Santee-Lynches AAA seeks to provide older adults and their caregivers with information that will enable them to receive the support they need to make healthy choices and live with dignity.

The Area Agency on Aging has an Ombudsman program that seeks to improve the quality of life and quality of care of residents who live in long-term care facilities. Ombudsman Sheila Brooks helped organize the event that saw participants of all ages and physical abilities, including one 81-year old who walked the entire one-mile route. All participants received a t-shirt. “Even though June 15 is nationally recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, please don’t stop working towards improving conditions for the elderly at midnight,” said Brooks. “Elder abuse advocacy should be on-going, 365-days a year, 24-hours a day. Please choose to be part of the solution and stop elder abuse.”

About Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments

Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments is a premier organization committed to optimizing our region’s unique strengths for a better tomorrow. Our mission is to deliberately enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for the advancement of our region. Santee-Lynches serves the counties and cities of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter. To learn more, visit santeelynchescog.org.

Santee-Lynches COG is a member of the South Carolina Councils of Government (SC COGs). The SC COGs are a network of the 10 regional councils of governments working to positively affect quality of life and economic development in South Carolina. SC COGs serve as an extension of local and county governments to provide technical assistance, secure state and federal dollars to address critical issues, and advocate at a state and national level for economic and quality of life improvements for South Carolina. To learn more, visit sccogs.org or visit santeelynchescog.org.