For Immediate Release: 4.3.08

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s Elder Abuse Response program staff is participating in the Spring Fling, Thursday, April 10, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the East Naples Community Park Senior Center, 3500 Thomasson Drive.

“Elder abuse and family violence later in life is a growing trend,” explains Shelter Elder Abuse Response Advocate/Counselor Vickijo Letchworth. “Whether it’s emotional, physical and verbal abuse by caregivers; sexual abuse of disabled elders; abandonment; and/or financial exploitation by grown children, abuse and neglect of our elders is unacceptable and there are ways we can help these victims rebuild their lives, no matter what their age.”

According to the National Center for Elder Abuse there is a lack of large-scale tracking of elder abuse, but research does indicate that:

• Between 1 and 2 million Americans aged 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection
• Only 1 in 14 incidents of elder abuse in domestic settings comes to the attention of authorities
• There may be at least 5 million financial abuse victims each year

In addition to information about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s programs and services, the Spring Fling also includes free health screenings (blood pressure), information on home health care, financial services, Hospice, Alzheimer’s, nutrition, as well as refreshments and door prizes.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s Elder Abuse Response Program is funded by The Brookdale Foundation/Ramapo Trust. For more information, please call 239-775-3862, ext. 242.

To learn more about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, our programs and services, please call 239-775-3862, or visit www.naplesshelter.org

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The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contacts: Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211