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The core message of this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is "Never ignore elder abuse."  The IPNEA says most elder abuse is hidden and caused by ageism and is working to expose abuse and fight ageism.

The IPNEA said the following in annoucing this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:

Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis. Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) are vital for informing people in a growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.

According to the IPNEA, 4% to 6% of all elderly people have experienced some form of abuse in the home.  This percentage is much higher for elderly people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as 36% of nursing home staff say they have witnessed physical abuse in the last year, 10% admit to committing physical abuse themselves, and 40% say they have psychologically abused residents.

For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and elder abuse in general, please visit the following resources:

• INPEA
• National Center on Elder Abuse
• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
• Administration on Aging

If you believe a loved one has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation while in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.

Police are investigating whether or not the man’s 50-year-old son should be cited for elder abuse. The 74-year-old man told police that he was unable to move from the couch and his son was unable to care for him due to an injury he suffered on his arm.

 Elder abuse of any kind is inexcusable regardless of the reasons. Many nursing homes and group homes provide assistance for elders when they cannot get proper care they require at home. Unfortunately there have also been cases of elder abuse at these facilities. However, there are many ways that elder abuse can be prevented whether it is at home or in a nursing or group facility. There are many ways that families of elderly individuals can select a nursing home or group home facility that meets their requirements and the needs of their loved ones. The website nursinghomeinfo.com has information on what to look for and what you can do in order to find the right nursing home facility for your loved ones. In addition, the National Center on Elder Abuse has information on how to spot elder abuse and how to prevent it from affecting loved ones.

 For more information on elder abuse, visit Solomon & Relihan's

Nursing Home Advocates website.

Gould had a history of disappearing, having once incident of going missing for ten days then being found in Providence, R.I.   Gould has several medical conditions that require medications.  After checking several previous addresses and family members, police were still not able to locate Gould.   Anyone with information is asked to contact the Norton police at 508-285-3300.

Unfortunately, there are many cases like Thomas Goulds.  Rest homes have the responsibility to take care and monitor their residents, especially when they have a history of wandering.  There are a variety of dangers that can happen.  For instance, your loved one could be injured, robbed or suffer severe emotional distress and disorientation when they wander off.  Without medications, the risk of death can also occur.  When you trust a rest home with the care of your loved ones, you expect them to uphold the best standards possible and to not put your family in a traumatic situation of having your loved ones lost.  During the summer there are many incidents like these in rest homes because families tend to visit less during the summers because of vacations and other priorities.  Regardless, this type of incident should never occur and contacting a professional is your best option for receiving the help your family deserves through this difficult time.

For more information on nursing home abuse, visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.