Worldwide Elder Abuse Awareness Walk

Elder Abuse Awareness Walk on Boston Common on June 15

Sponsored by CBES, Ethos, Boston Age Strong Commission,

Boston Senior Home Care, on Worldwide Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Central Boston Elder Services joins with three other groups serving Boston-area seniors on the global June 15th “Elder Abuse Awareness Day” to bring concerned residents of all ages and local dignitaries together on thefivehistoric Boston Common to focus attention on the dangers of mistreatment, exploitation and neglect that seniors everywhere face daily.

CBES, Ethos, Boston Senior Home Care and Boston’s Age Strong Commission are working together to highlight the abuse of vulnerable seniors that often goes unnoticed.

About one in six people aged sixty or above all over the world have faced some form of abuse in recent years, according to the World Health Organization. Elder abuse is a global social problem affecting the health and human rights of millions of seniors.

In America, one in ten or approximately five million older adults are subject to abuse every year.

“We are walking today with concerned citizens worldwide to let all members of our community know that elder abuse exists and must be prevented,” said Sylvia Exantus, CBES Executive Director. “Often such abuse goes undetected. It includes physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse as well as neglect, abandonment and self-neglect. Our seniors have devoted their lives to us and we must provide the safety and care they deserve.”

“Elder abuse and neglect keep our most experienced citizens from fully participating in the life of our communities,” said Valerie Frias, CEO of Ethos. “We’re walking to inspire community members to learn the signs of elder abuse, prevent isolation by checking in on our older loved ones and to support organizations that fight elder abuse and exploitation.”

“Elder abuse is a national crisis that affects all of us,” said Margaret Hogan, CEO of Boston Senior Home Care. “We must do everything we can to help raise awareness and provide the resources needed to protect vulnerable older adults from those who would harm them.”

“We thank Central Boston Elder Services for leading this effort in raising awareness for elder abuse,” said Emily Shea, Commissioner, Age Strong Commission, City of Boston. “At Boston’s Age Strong Commission, we are well aware that the aging population is only growing, so with that – elder abuse cases will also increase. We have to know the signs, increase training in the care field, and encourage older adults to report incidents. By joining together, we can pool resources and make changes holistically.”

Joining in the walk to aid older residents are State Representative Chynah Tyler; Elizabeth Chen, Secretary, Executive Office of Elder Affairs; City Councilor-at-Large Erin Murphy; José Massó, Chief of Human Services, City of Boston, representing Mayor Wu; Emily Shea, Commissioner, Boston Age Strong; Sylvia Exantus, Executive Director, CBES; Valarie Frias, CEO, Ethos; and Margaret Hogan, CEO, Boston Senior Home Care.

The walk begins at 11 am on June 15 at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common near the intersection of Tremont and Boylston Streets. There will be a short program at the Bandstand followed by a walk of approximately one mile around Boston Common.

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