Cherokee County Press Release
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be observed on June 15, 2021 / Alabama’s Response to Elder Abuse
The Elderly population and disabled adults in our state and communities have the right to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, this is not the case for every elderly individual and disabled adult in our state. Based upon reports from previous years, thousands of elderly individuals and disabled adults have been and are being abused, neglected, and exploited in Alabama every year.
In an effort to promote elder abuse awareness, agencies, organizations, communities, and professionals around the world will observe June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The following activities are scheduled to take place in Cherokee County in observance of the day. We will be placing purple bows throughout the Cherokee County and encourage the community to place purple bows at their homes and places of business throughout the month of June.
The national theme for this year’s observance is “Using the Past to Re-write the Future”. The nationally recognized color to represent elder abuse awareness is purple. We are also asking each community member to wear purple throughout the month of June.
Cherokee County Department of Human Resources (DHR) Director, Michelle Fulmer stated, “The pandemic has had a significant impact on elderly and disabled adults in our community. The isolation due to COVID-19 has placed elderly and disabled adults at increased risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Our community partners can help by reporting suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation and by assisting DHR with arranging services to protect those individuals who cannot protect themselves”.
DHR is responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation regarding the elderly and disabled adults. In FY 2020, DHR investigated 10,566 reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults statewide, which includes elderly and disabled adults.
DHR is requesting the assistance of all community members to help with protecting our vulnerable citizens as they have contributed so much to society. If you suspect an elderly person or disabled adult is being mistreated, please contact the Cherokee County Department of Human Resources at 256-927-1440 to make a report.
Reports may also be made, toll free, to the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-458-7214 and online at aps@dhr.alabama.gov. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.