Event Takes Place Thursday, June 18th at UWS
The University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Continuing Education Department will be holding a community forum to increase awareness, understanding and prevention of elder abuse. The forum, Twin Ports Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention, will be held Thursday, June 18, from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Swenson Hall on the campus of UW-Superior.
General admission is free, and $10 for professionals (CEUs for 2.5 contact hours). The event includes a light meal and refreshments. Several Twin Ports organizations will have community resources on display.
Elder abuse is an escalating problem across the country and in the Twin Ports. Based on statistics provided by the National Center on Elder Abuse, it’s estimated that over 600 older adults in Douglas County and over 3100 older adults in St. Louis County experience abuse each year. This can be physical, emotional, financial, neglect or any other type of abuse.
“With the increased population of elders, abuse is expected to get worse and more common,” said Esther Gieschen, program manager at the Center for Continuing Education. “We need people to be aware of the abuse that is happening here, know the indicators of abuse and know what to do when they experience, suspect or observe any kind of abuse.”
This event is a collaborative program of: ADRC of Douglas County, CASDA, Adult Protection Services – Douglas and St. Louis Counties, community advocates, and UW-Superior Center for Continuing Education; and is Funded in part by the Helen Daniels Bader Fund and The Wirtanen Family Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
Discussion topics will include “The Impact of Elder Abuse and What It Is” presented by Scott Campbell (retired from the Duluth Police Department and Board member of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center), what to do when you suspect or observe any type of abuse, along with many personal stories and local examples of fraud, emotional and physical abuse, and financial exploitation.
Pre-registration for the event is requested. To register or for more information, call (715) 394-8469 or visit www.uwsuper.edu/health.
For more information, contact: Esther Gieschen, UWS CCE, (715) 394-8529, or egiesche@uwsuper.edu
