From June 11th to June 15th, a different training session will be offered each day.
In Maryland, one in every nine seniors are abused. The Silver Ribbon Series, presented by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit in collaboration with the S.A.L.T. Council of Frederick County, is offering free training to explore the various aspects of elder abuse in hopes to raise awareness about it in the community.
From June 11th to June 15th, a different training session will be offered each day. Topics include: communities against senior exploitation, family law and the aging population, elder domestic violence, recognizing physical signs of abuse, trauma and neglect of seniors and RX/OTC drug abuse.
Theresa Hiegel with the Victim Services Unit said there is more than one type of abuse.
"Senior abuse ranges from financial exploitation, and fraud and theft, to the physical abuse, sexual abuse, and also ranges to neglect. So it is really hard to capture a number monthly that we see. Unfortunately, it is something that goes on without being reported very often," Hiegel said.
Statistics show that for every one case that is reported, it is estimated that five go unreported.
"Due to the special dynamics, a lot of seniors don't wish to be taken out of their home and a lot of times their caregivers are family members so it is really something that we are aiming this series at the community because those are the people that come into contact other than the abusers," Hiegel said.
The series will take place at the Department of Aging in Frederick. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, contact Theresa Hiegel at 301-600-1290
