June is National Adult Protection Awareness Month

Community Leaders to Proclaim June 2014 as

National Adult Protection Awareness Month

Help us pull back the curtain on elder abuse and neglect

Mesa County, CO--- Mesa County Department of Human Services receives an average of over 70 new adult protection referrals each month.  Victims of adult abuse or neglect are at-risk adults age 18 or over who are unable to protect themselves due to age or disability.  These individuals are sometimes not aware of the resources in our community and often have no one else to protect them.

 Approximately 46% of the victims are over 70 years old and are physically impaired or have some form of dementia.  The younger at-risk adult victims are persons with physical or mental disabilities.  Abuse, exploitation and neglect are caused by a member of the victim’s own family in a large percentage of cases. These residents are often vulnerable to assault, burglary, fraud and other crimes because they cannot provide for their own care and protection.

A schedule of recognition proclamations is as follows:

City of Grand Junction - Wednesday, June 4th at 7pm, Grand Junction City Hall

Mesa County Commissioners - Monday, June 9th at 9am, old county courthouse

Town of Palisade – Tuesday, June 10^th, 6pm Palisade Town Hall

The Mesa County Department of Human Services is committed to advocating for people’s rights.  Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are vital members of our families, our society, and our community.  Colorado will become a Mandatory Reporting state effective 07/01/2014.   Historically, 1 in 5 cases of adult abuse are actually reported.  Adult abuse encompasses many different types of harms and can occur in community, home or institutional settings. It is hoped that Mandatory Reporting will increase the number of referrals and provide greater safety for the older adults in our community.

For more information on suspected adult abuse and neglect please visit www.humanservices.mesacounty.us or call the Adult Protection Hotline at 248-2888, option 2.  Callers can remain anonymous if they so chose.