World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Observation of the 2nd annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia was held June 15, 2011. To view the proclamation, click here. For a detailed summary of the celebration, visit here.
The 2nd annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was a outstanding success that was recognized in different areas of the state. Pictures from the State Capitol event and an event in Nicholas County are below.
Upshur County celebrated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a ceremony as well. News coverage can be found here.
Additional media coverage of the State Capitol event includes video coverage featuring keynote speaker U.S. Prosecutor Booth Goodwin II. It can be found here.
This event was sponsored by:
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
- Kanawha Valley Senior Services
- West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services
- WV State Auditor's Office
- Legal Aid of West Virginia
- AARP Foundation
- WV Supreme Court
A Special Thank You to the South Charleston Junior ROTC for presenting the Flags!!!
Adult Protective Services (APS)
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, is the agency within West Virginia that is responsible for providing protective services for adults, ages eighteen and older. Adult Protective Services may be provided to both incapacitated adults who live in their own home adults and residents of facilities such as nursing homes, personal care homes, residential board and care homes and adult family care homes. Adult Protective Services Policy can be found here.
Adult Protective Services include specific intervention activities that are intended to protect mentally and/or physically incapacitated adults from abuse and neglect by others and from self-neglect. The specific intervention activities that are provided by the Office of Social Service include investigation, assessment, and time-limited case management.
Anyone may make a report of adult abuse or neglect. In addition, certain groups of individuals are considered mandatory reporters and are required by law to make a report. If you know of or suspect that an incapacitated adult is being/has been abused or neglected you should immediately report this to the Department of Health and Human Resources. You may report abuse or neglect of an adult by calling:
- your local Department of Health and Human Resources, Adult Services Unit
- the statewide HOTLINE at 1-800-352-6513
If you request, your name as a reporter of adult abuse or neglect, will remain confidential and will not be shared with others. Reporters are also protected by law from civil or criminal liability when a report is made in good faith.
