The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) had its 5th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

This day is held in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Many organizations ranging from religious groups and government organizations to professionals in the field of aging, interested individuals as well as older persons themselves will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by organizing activities around the world to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day was celebrated at “The Mall at Prince George’s” in Hyattsville, Maryland and at the “Iverson Mall” in Temple Hills, Maryland. There were numerous information booths manned by the Prince Georges County Office of the Sheriff Triad Officers, Prince George’s County Police Department, State’s Attorney Office, Maryland Crime Victim’s Resource Center, Inc., The Office of 911, Prince George’s County Health Department, Register of Wills, Prince George’s County Fire Department /EMS, and the Department of Social Services etc. They were assisted by their Explorers who ran the “BINGO” games for the participating seniors. Seniors were informed about neglect, Abuse, Financial Crimes, Scams, Identity Theft and what to look for in everyday situations. They were given health screenings, door prizes and some even had their finger prints done at this event.

Everyone had a wonderful time and they are looking forward to another great event next year.  A special thanks goes out to Lorna Jones and Cindy Buie-Brown for their hard work and dedication to Prince Georges County TRIAD.

Monday, May 17, 2010 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. held at the WCCCD – Northwest Campus  -  LSB L-17    8200 W. Outer Drive in Detroit, MI

The purpose of this event is to inform the audience of the many different ways the Sheriff’s office is working to keep the community safe. Topics and information will include: Safety tips, Gang Awareness, Emergency Senior Cell Phones, File of Life, Tether Unit, Internet Security, Narcotics Hotline, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office new website, Dose of Reality Tour, and Deputy Reserves.

 Participants attending this event will:

• Become knowledgeable about what the Sheriff’s office is doing in terms of gang awareness in the community
• Learn safety tips to protect themselves and family
• Receive a report on the other services offered to the community such as internet safety, emergency senior cell phones, etc.

THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT NO COST! Light refreshments will be served. Come out and say hello to Sheriff Benny Napoleon and his staff.

For more information, please contact the School of Continuing Education at 313-496-2704 or the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 313-224-0614

Please join them in their efforts to raise community awareness of crime victim services and prevention as they celebrate Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness, Dignity & Respect. Your organization’s attendance and participation will be greatly appreciated. A table will be provided for your organization to share brochures, pamphlets, handouts etc., (at no cost). This event will allow you the opportunity to embrace the many victims that are in need of your services, while informing the community of your organization’s services. Please contact Tenna Kirk if you would like to make a reservation for your organization and request a table. Tina Kirk can be reached via email at tkirk@lancaster-tx.com .

This event is free and open to the public. Many awards and prizes will be distributed.

For additional information regarding this event, you may contact Nakeya Fincher, Crime Victim Assistance Coordinator at 972-218-2751 or email her at nfincher@lancaster-tx.com.

Since this is a senior program, we used it to give our seniors an emergency phone system that would give them peace of mind and ensure their safety in a compromising situation. It worked, and my phone continues to ring off the hook while providing this very vulnerable area with a sense of security.

I want to mention I work very closely with Public Health. In fact, there is one nurse particular who is in charge of working with physically and mentally challenged children. This particular nurse had recently asked me if she could have four of my phones to give to these children, (again, to provide security and safety to a part of our society who is so compromised). I was more than happy to do so.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of this program.

I’d bet not too many of our clients have ever considered placing a phone within their offices as a deterrant to a potential crime.  Thanks, Brenda, for sharing this information with all of us

During one of their home deliveries for Meals on Wheels it was brought to Deputy Cannon’s attention that the person she was visiting/delivering a meal to was clutching onto her home “land-line” phone. After a brief conversation with this client, Deputy Cannon learned that the phone was her link to safety and was her security. This particular client and many others throughout the county/state are using Life Line. This is a great program and a huge number of seniors/elderly citizens are utilizing this program all across the United States. By all means, please inform your clients and anybody you know who uses Life Line, that in the event they are without electricity, this will not be of any value to them if they are depending on a cordless phone. You must have power in order for your “cordless phone” to work. There are numerous people that are not aware of this and are relying solely on “Life Line”.

After this incident, Deputies Cannon and Ridgeway asked the Meals on Wheels drivers if they would carry around a sign-up sheet with them . During their deliveries the driver will simply ask the clients if they are in need of an emergency 911 phone and if so, they are given one at no cost and it is delivered with their meal…Safety a la Carte’…what a treat!

The 911 Cell Phone Bank program has been a huge success in Franklin County, New York. Because of RSVP’s collaboration with Public Health, the CARES unit and the Office for the Aging, we have provided seniors over 60 years old with a cell phone. This phone has given them the peace of mind in knowing that they can reach emergency services when needed. Over 80 phones have been dispersed and 100 phones are being sent out in a few weeks so that they can be given out to these agencies dealing with seniors living in isolated areas of our community.

This program will indeed be responsible for the safety and well being of one of the most vulnerable people in our society, our senior citizens…thank you.

 Susan Schrader, Director

Here’s what Christine Mouton, Coordinator of the Victim Services program at the University of Central Florida, has to say about our program. “UCF Victim Services is proud to be a part of the 911 Cell Phone Bank program. This program has provided UCF victims with valuable resources that we would be unable to deliver without your support. the 911 Cell Phone Bank allows us to generate support for our victims through the discarding of used cell phones. Students, Faculty and Staff at UCF continue to support Victim Services through this  “green” initiative and for each year that we have been a part of your program we have been able to expand our ability to collect cell phones that generate the financial resources to support our victims.  We appreciate everyone at the 911 cell phone bank, you are very responsive to our needs and we look forward to continuing our relationship with your program for many years.”

Thank you for the kind words Christine and we look forward to many more years as well!

Donate Your Cell Phone

The St. Paul TRIAD is having  Clinch River Days in St. Paul, VA on May 29-30. Event will be held at Matthews Park on Clinch River. Free entertainment, free food all ages. Games & Rides for the children.

Velma Osbourne will have a booth set up. She will be giving out information on safety and  scams. She will also be collecting names of individuals needing no cost 911 phones.