Local leaders recognize World Elder Abuse Day on June 15 in Tempe

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and Councilmember Berdetta Hodge invite community residents to join them on Saturday, June 15 for her monthly Breakfast with Berdetta event, which will focus on the escalating crime of elder abuse in Arizona, across America, and worldwide.

Councilmember Hodge has dedicated her June Breakfast with Berdetta to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and provide information about the seven types of elder abuse as well as how to avoid becoming a victim, a city release explained.

Residents are welcome to bring a friend, neighbor or loved one to the event at Friendship Village’s Skirm Auditorium, from 9-10 a.m. on June 15.

“I’m honored to be hosting this important annual event with the experienced public safety leaders from city of Tempe and Maricopa County, supported by elder justice advocate and Tempe resident Linda Arters,” Hodge stated in the release. “We need to shine a bright light on the prevalence of elder abuse as the ‘silent crime’ that robs our seniors of their dignity, health, financial security and, in some cases, their lives.”

The one-hour event will feature a panel discussion about recognizing, preventing and reporting elder abuse in Tempe, followed by a Q&A.

Hodge will be joined by a panel of leaders consisting of Assistant Tempe Police Chief Dane Sorensen, Interim Tempe Fire and Medical Rescue Chief Darrell Duty, Maricopa County Deputy Sheriff James McFarland, and Deputy County Attorney Jared Price of the Family Violence Division and Deputy County Attorney Mary Harriss of the Fraud Division of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

This is the fourth consecutive year the city of Tempe and Mayor Woods have recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, according to the release. Proclamations and community events have promoted education and resources to help protect Arizona seniors.

Staggering elder abuse statistics

One in 10 Americans ages 60 and older have experienced some form of abuse yet only one in 14 cases come to attention of authorities, the release stated.

Statistics included in the release:

• Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated.
• Belittling, threats or other uses of power and control by individuals are signs of verbal or emotional abuse.
• For each case of financial exploitation, 44 cases go unreported. Studies today estimate losses of $36.5 billion and growing to $2.5 trillion by 2035.
• Elder abuse is not just physical, it can be emotional and psychological, neglect, sexual, isolation, undue influence and financial and material exploitation.
• Older adults may become vulnerable due to isolation, physical or mental disabilities and dependence on others for assistance. Most perpetrators of elder abuse are family members.

For planning purposes, RSVP for the June 15 Breakfast with Berdetta event to Cepand_alizadeh@tempe.gov or 480-350-8597. For details, visit tempe.gov/Hodge .