Pike Area Agency on Aging raises awareness of elder abuse, living with Alzheimer’s

Happy Fourth of July, a proud time of year to wave your flags, remember our history and for many Americans, celebrate the occasion.
We recently had our 5th annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Milford. There was much information provided to a very resolved crowd. A great big thank you to the committee that put the whole event together, and the speakers, including D.A. Ray Tonkin, Jordan Wisniewski, Pike County, Derek Bellinger, Wayne Bank, and our new Pike County Sheriff, Kerry Welsh.
Elder financial abuse is one form of elder abuse, and it is one of the top three cases reported to Pennsylvania Adult Protective Services, estimated to cost senior citizens in America more than $36 billion each year. Good news from Harrisburg as we just heard that the Pennsylvania Department of Aging will receive an additional $2 million dollars specifically to help agencies like ours fund this essential program.
The River Rose trip was a success. Those that attended look forward more outings and thank Lana Romeo for her creativity. We are heading south ourselves to launch a new spot for seniors at the Top of the World Restaurant in Saw Creek Estates. On July 18 Lana and Cherie will take their “center without walls” to the “Creek.” We will have a number of programs and events there, including Farmer’s Market vouchers to distribute. Hoping to make this a regular event at “The Creek.”
On May 31 I was invited to sit on a panel with local AAA Directors at the annual Northeast PA’s Alzheimer’s Conference “Dementia Conversations.” The event provided the audience with a number of speakers, experts, and resources for dealing with dementia and related disorders. Pennsylvania currently has more than 400,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related disorder. Most recently, the Wolf Administration announced the formation of Pennsylvania’s Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force. The task force was created to take a lead role in implementing and championing the goals and recommendations of Pennsylvania’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly inhibits brain function, and it is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association an estimated 5.7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Recently there was a U.S. Senate Special Committee Hearing in Washington D.C. attended by Secretary Osborne called: Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s: Reducing Risk, Detecting Early Symptoms, and Improving Data. The committee is chaired by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), with Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania). With more attention such as this, we hope to find more ways to treat and prevent this devastating disease. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, visit aging.pa.gov.
Hoping to see everyone at Milford Beach in Milford (formally known as: Bob’s Beach) in July 13 for our first picnic of the season. Bring your fishing poles!
Robin S. LoDolce
Pike County Area Agency on Aging
pikeaaa.org