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Ohio Urges Awareness of Abuse of Older People

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio officials are urging people to be alert to the signs of elder abuse and to do something if they suspect it.

The state departments of Aging and of Job and Family Services join Gov. John Kasich in observing Wednesday as Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Ohioans are asked to wear purple in a show of support.

With an aging population, physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation are major concerns. Department of Aging Director Bonnie Burman says some one in 10 elder adults have experienced some type of abuse, but as few as one in five cases gets reported.

Job and Family Services supervises the state’s Adult Protective Services program that helps vulnerable adults ages 60 and older.