EverCare At Home, EverCare’s Certified Home Health Agency in the Hudson Valley, is hosting its 10^th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day conference. The conference, “kNOw more; AGE LOUDLY Against Elder Abuse” will be held on Friday, June 15 at Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC).

Conference registration will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the program from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This free conference is being organized in collaboration with the Center on Aging and Disability Policy at Mount Saint Mary College, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Orange County Office for the Aging, and Orange County Government. The entire Hudson Valley region is welcome to attend the conference, which is taking place in the Aquinas Hall Theatre at MSMC.

In past years, this conference has generated attendance of over 160 community members; this year, it is anticipated that over 500 community members, elected officials, and professionals will attend.

Conference presenters at the local, state, and national level include:

• Keynote Speaker: Bob Blancato, National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, Washington DC
• Keynote Speaker: Philip C. Marshall, Founder of Beyond Brooke and grandson of the late Brooke Astor, NYC philanthropist, socialite, and victim
• Guest Speaker: Alan J. Lawitz, Director, NYS Bureau of Adult Services
• New York State Senator Sue Serino, Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging
• Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus
• Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro
• Gerontologist Lawrence Force, PhD
• Panel Speakers: David M. Hoovler, Orange County District Attorney; Carl DuBois, Orange County Sheriff; Tim Murphy, Orange County Adult Protective Services Case Supervisor; Patricia Sheldon, Dutchess County Adult Protective Services Director; Mitchell Rubin, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, EverCare; and Lisa Morris, Assistant Vice President, PR & Corporate Communications Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union.

“Too often, elder abuse and other crimes against older persons go unreported; the statistics are staggering – there is no worthier cause for our organization to organize and support.  Advances made on vulnerable older people in the form of physical, or psychological harm, neglect, or financial exploitation, are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” said EverCare President and CEO Sylvia McTigue. “Knowing how to recognize elder abuse and how to report it if you are a victim, or suspect someone is being abused, is especially important as our elderly population increases.”

“This event is the cornerstone of our organization’s mission to educate our community, to kNOw more  and AGE LOUDLY Against Elder Abuse,” McTigue added.

A recent study of elder abuse prevalence in New York State found that 76 out of every 1,000 older New Yorkers were victims of elder abuse in a one-year period. The reported incidence rate is nearly 24 times greater than the number of referred cases. This suggests that many elders are not seeking, or getting, the assistance they need.

Registration for this event is required. Space is limited, please email weaad2018@evercare.org or call Orange County Office for the Aging at 845.615.3700.

Net proceeds will be used for further education of Elder Abuse through the EverCare Center for Senior Education & Advocacy in collaboration with The Center on Aging and Disability Policy at Mount Saint Mary College.

Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please make checks payable to EverCare At Home.