On Friday, June 6, the Oakland County SAVE Task Force (Serving Adults who are Vulnerable and/or Elderly) will be commemorating its 9th Annual International Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the Oakland County Commissioners Auditorium by hosting the following two-part program:
• The Sosnick Courage Awards at 12:45 p.m.
The First Responder Training Program is aimed at educating first responders on recognizing the signs of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, effectively communicating with elderly victims and providing the necessary services. Speakers include Ron Tatro (Elder Law of Michigan), Dr. Peter Lichtenberg (Wayne State University), and Micheline Sommers (Oakland Family Services). There will also be a panel discussion featuring the former State Aging Director Lynn Alexander, Assistant Prosecutor Cindy Brown, Oakland County Sheriff Captain Clay Jansson, Adult Protective Services Program Manager Cynthia Farrell, and Public Administrator Steve Albery.
The training program has been registered with MCOLES.
A complimentary lunch shall be provided at noon. At 12:30 p.m., Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley will be the featured keynote speaker.
Following lunch, the task force will present the Sosnick Courage Awards to several deserving individuals and organizations that have actively undertaken a principal role in leading the campaign against elder abuse or that have had the courage to stand up and bravely speak out against elder abuse in Oakland County. Among the honorees is Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
The above two programs are being offered free of charge. Attendees may come to one or both of the programs and lunch will be made available to everyone. The event shall be held in the Oakland County Commissioners Auditorium of the Oakland County Courthouse, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, in Pontiac.
Thirteen percent of America’s population is currently over the age of 65. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to over 20%. Studies have shown that up to 10% of older adults have been the victim of some type of elder abuse. Unfortunately, signs of elder abuse are often indistinct or even concealed. As a result, first responders and other senior services providers may not recognize elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
SAVE’s mission is to provide practical training for first responders and senior services providers in order to educate and raise awareness to effectively prevent and combat elder abuse, neglect and exploitation within the community.
SAVE was founded in 2005 by Lynn Alexander, then senior citizen coordinator for Oakland County, and then Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick. The task force is currently chaired by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge James Alexander and Oakland County Probate Court Judge Kathleen Ryan.
For additional information, contact Julie Adams, executive director, at 248-797-8654 or juliewadams11@gmail.com.
To register for the June 6 event, contact the Auburn Hills Senior Center at 248-370-9353.
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