World Elder Abuse Day

WHEREAS, Alabama’s seniors are valued members of society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity; and

WHEREAS, older and disabled Alabamians are often targets for abuse, neglect and exploitation and which is now an ever-increasing problem in today’s society that crosses all socio-economic boundaries; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, Alabama Department of Senior Services, the office of the Attorney General and over 30 partner agencies of the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse are committed to the prevention of Elder Abuse; and

WHEREAS, Adult Protective Service of the Alabama Department of Human Resources is committed to the protection and providing for the needs of our elder citizens through prevention assessments, investigation of reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and arrangement of services; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Senior Services is committed to promoting the independence and dignity of older adults through educating and informing seniors, and those who work with seniors, on how to identify elder abuse and the importance of reporting suspected abuse; and

WHEREAS, the Office of the Attorney General is committed to the enforcement of laws protecting seniors; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Council has supported enactment of an elder abuse statute and elder abuse education of the public, as well as professionals; and

WHEREAS, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day offers all Alabamians the opportunity to remember victims of elder abuse and their families, to promote the programs and organizations that serve them and to participate in community efforts to improve the safety and well-being of all people throughout our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2015, as

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

in the state of the Alabama.