Press Release

SAVE Task Force Symposium To Address Elder Abuse Issues

Pontiac, MI, March 22, 2006 The Oakland County "Serving Adults who are Vulnerable and/or Elderly" (SAVE) Task Force is hosting an outreach symposium on March 30, 2006 from 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Oakland Schools building, 2111 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. 

The "Outreach in Oakland" Symposium will bring together a wide array of community resources to discuss the pervasive and growing problem of elder abuse and neglect and what can be done about it.  The day long conference will allow stakeholders such as the courts, prosecutors, first responders, nursing homes, senior centers, bankers and hospitals to interact with one another to explore ways to improve communication on the issue of elder abuse and find a coordinated approach to dealing with the problem.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick will be two of the featured speakers at the Symposium.

Statistics indicate the incidents of elder abuse are growing.  For example, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) in Washington, D.C. reports that more than 500,000 Americans over 60 were victims of domestic abuse in 1996, the last year for which statistics are available.  An NCEA study also found that only 16% of abusive situations are referred for help with 84% remaining hidden.  According to the NCEA, reports of elder abuse have increased each year over the past decade with the great majority of abusers being family members, most commonly an adult child or spouse.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer at (248) 858-1048.

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