June 15 was designated as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey issued the following proclamation in honor of the day.

Proclamation by the governor of Alabama:

WHEREAS, Alabama’s seniors are valued members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity; and 

WHEREAS, older adults and Alabamians with a disability are often targets for abuse, neglect and exploitation and such maltreatment is an ever-increasing problem in today’s society; 

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Human Resources received more than 11,000 abuse, neglect and exploitation referrals in fiscal year 2018, representing a 15% increase; and 

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Alabama Department of Senior Services, the Office of the Attorney General and more than 30 partner agencies of the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse are committed to the prevention of elder abuse; and 

WHEREAS, Adult Protective Service of the Alabama Department of Human Resources is committed to the protection of our elder citizens through prevention assessments, investigation of reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation and arrangement of services; and 

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Senior Services is committed to promoting the independence and dignity of older adults by educating and informing seniors and those who work with seniors on how to identify elder abuse and the importance of reporting suspected abuse; and 

WHEREAS, the Office of the Attorney General is committed to the enforcement of laws protecting seniors; and 

WHEREAS, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day offers all Alabamians the opportunity to promote the programs and organizations that serve elders and their families and to participate in community efforts to improve the safety and well-being of all people throughout our state; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 15, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the state of Alabama. 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 29th day of May 2019.

Kay Ivey, Governor

How to help: If one suspects any adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Lee County, they should call the Lee County Department of Human Resources at 334-737-7778 to make an adult abuse and neglect report.

Original article found on OpelikaObserver.com.