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Purchase Area one of three groups awarded for elder abuse prevention
press release FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 2, 2017) - Three community groups have received awards for their work to stop elder abuse. The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), presented the awards at a recent conference focusing on elder abuse prevention. Big Sandy Elder Abuse Council, the Kentucky River Council Against the Maltreatment of Elders (CAME) and the Purchase Elder Abuse Council each received Public Awareness Initiative awards of $500. The awards recognize the groups for showing a commitment to elder abuse prevention through public outreach during the past 12 months. DCBS Commissioner Adria Johnson said that these local efforts are making a difference for Kentucky's senior citizens. The work of these councils shows that we can all be a part of establishing well-being for the older members of our communities," she said. "Through partnership with our local offices and other agencies, the LCEEAs are making elder abuse a priority across their multi-county areas. I thank them for their programming that has helped save lives." The three award winners are part of the state's network of 24 Local Coordinating Councils on Elder Abuse (LCCEAs), which covers 93 counties. The councils provide focused education to their communities to protect the elder population from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The Big Sandy council operates in Floyd, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin and Pike counties. CAME is in Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties. The Purchase council is in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, McCracken and Marshall counties. CHFS gives administrative support to the LCCEAs, which provide elder abuse education and outreach at the local and regional levels depending on the needs of the communities. Kentucky's network involves local law enforcement, county officials, advocates, nursing homes, local businesses, social service agencies and individuals. They share a common goal of ending abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly in their communities by offering specific advocacy, outreach and prevention strategies. At the conference last month, attendees learned about senior bullying, mental health and aging and how neighbors can help ensure elder well-being. Kentucky received more than 30,000 calls to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of people age 60 and older for state fiscal year 2016. In Kentucky, reporting suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation is the law, and it's confidential. The toll-free reporting hotline is 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331). Kentuckians can help the fight against elder abuse by becoming involved with their LCCEAs. Membership is free and open to anyone interested in working to prevent elder abuse in his or her community. To become involved with your community's LCCEA or to inquire about events, contact state LCCEA liaison Stacy Carey at 502-564-7043. Get more information about the councils and recognizing the signs of elder abuse online at chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/eaa/. Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse If you believe an elderly person is being abused, neglected or exploited, call 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331), the state's abuse hotline. If you believe there is imminent risk, immediately call 911 or local law enforcement. Learn to recognize the following signs of neglect and abuse. Neglect
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Financial Abuse
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