Our agency has the opportunity to help many Clark County seniors in need, from Medicare open enrollment assistance, to Meals on Wheels, to transportation, to advocacy for victims. Generally when we define need, most people think of helping people in poverty. But poverty is just one (important and prevalent) kind of need.
There are other kinds. Illness or mobility, for example, can render someone incapable of taking care of themselves. Elder abuse can also be as incapacitating as poverty or illness, and knows no bias. Whether wealthy or poor, educated or not, if elder abuse or exploitation occurs it can force the most independent person into a position of need.
Elder abuse is prevalent in Ohio and in Clark County. Our agency, along with Adult Protective Services and local law enforcement, are investigating and supporting Clark County victims every day.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office declares that one in nine Ohio senior citizens have reported being victimized. They further report that for every case of abuse or exploitation reported, there are 5 more that go unreported.
This is alarming news! USS is dedicated to helping Clark County older adults become more aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and exploitation so we know how to protect ourselves and each other. One way we are raising awareness is at our annual wellness conference — The Art of Aging.
This year the USS Art of Aging Wellness Conference will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at our downtown Springfield center, 125 W. Main St. The focus of our guest lecture series will be “Protecting Seniors”. We are partnering with the Ohio Attorney General’s office to host an interactive community forum with state and local representatives from law enforcement, justice systems, and supportive services.
Join us to learn from the experts about the efforts underway to investigate abuse and exploitation, the changes to Ohio law to help more people, and the supportive services available to protect victims and the vulnerable public. But it‘s not all doom and gloom. All of our speakers will also offer tips to prevent victimization. Let’s stop it before it starts!
I hope you will join us at the Art of Aging Wellness conference on October 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at USS, 125 W Main St, for this very important topic. Fitness, healthy cooking, smoking cessation, and chair massage demonstrations will also be available at no cost.
Local and state representatives of health care and senior services will be present to answer your questions. Vision, hearing, and blood pressure screenings are scheduled, as well as flu shots during the event. Door prizes and other giveaways will add to the fun.
For more information about this event contact United Senior Services at 937-323-4948. All are welcome
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