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CABARRUS COUNTY <br />REGULAR MEETING <br />1 <br />�A CAI �l� JUNE 15 2 <br />1 <br />AGENDA CATEGORY: <br />Recognitions and Presentations <br />SUBJECT: <br />Human Services - Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month <br />Proclamation <br />BRIEF SUMMARY: <br />Each year, more than two million vulnerable and older adults are victims <br />of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Research has shown that older adults <br />who are abused, neglected and exploited are three times more likely to <br />die within ten years than those who are not. According to national <br />statistics, elder abuse is grossly under reported because vulnerable and <br />older adults who are being abused find it very difficult to tell anyone due to <br />shame and fear. Elder abuse affects men and women of all ethnic <br />backgrounds and social status; it occurs in private residences and in <br />facilities. <br />In 2014, there were almost 23,000 reports of abuse, neglect or <br />exploitation of vulnerable and older adults made to social services <br />departments across the 100 counties in North Carolina. Reports are made <br />not only by doctors and other professionals but by family members and <br />concerned citizens in our communities. Anyone who suspects that a <br />vulnerable or older adult is in need of protection is required by North <br />Carolina General Statute (GS 108A -102) to report this information to the <br />department of social services in the county where the adult resides. <br />May 8 - June 22, 2015 is Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness <br />Month in North Carolina. We all have a responsibility to support the safety, <br />welfare, and dignity of North Carolina's vulnerable and older adults. We <br />urge all citizens to work together to help protect adults from abuse, <br />neglect, and exploitation. It is imperative that North Carolinians refuse to <br />tolerate the indignity of elder abuse. <br />C -3 Page 36 <br />