LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Allen County Adult Protective Services is encouraging residents to wear purple on June 15 to show support for older adults and raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Allen County commissioners have officially declared June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting the community's shared responsibility to ensure seniors are living safe and healthy lives.
Adult Protective Services officials say it can be difficult for many older adults to ask for help, even when they are facing challenges such as scams, self-neglect or an inability to care for themselves.
"They may think nothing's wrong or they may think that they don't need help or that they don't need assistance when in reality, they may be falling for a scam or they may be unable to care for themselves properly and just need a little extra help. We don't go in and we don't remove people from their homes. We don't take over total control of them. We're just there to help them and try to get them to be the best that they can be," said Ally Garlock Brown, supervisor of Allen County Adult Protective Services.
Adult Protective Services is a program through Job and Family Services of Allen County. The agency provides assistance ranging from referrals for social services to legal support for cases involving scams, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Officials stress that early intervention can help seniors remain independent while receiving the resources they need to stay safe.
Anyone wishing to report suspected elder abuse, self-neglect, neglect by others or exploitation involving Allen County residents age 60 and older can call the agency's confidential 24-hour hotline at 419-999-0251.
