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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2018.05.17 - 23628MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #18229 BY: Commissioners Shelley Taub, District #12; Helaine Zack, District #18; Gary McGillivray, District #20; Tom Berman, District #5; Bob Hoffman, District #2; Hugh Crawford, District #9; and Bill Dwyer, District #14 tl-e-sAgeA-4-1 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DESIGNATION OF JUNE 15, 2018 AS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the population of people age 66 and older is growing in the U.S. with 40.3 million reported in the 2010 Census and this "Boomer Generation" effect will continue for decades; and WHEREAS it is estimated by 2050 those 65 and older will make up 20% of the U.S. population; and WHEREAS the fastest growing segment of this population are those 85 and up and it is projected by 2050 there will be 19 million people 85 years of age and older; and WHEREAS with this growing elderly population there is also the growing risk of significant harm from elder abuse to vulnerable elders; and WHEREAS elder abuse is the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable older adults usually by a family member, caregiver or a person in a trusted relationship with the elder; and WHEREAS there are over 2 million older adults who are victims of elder abuse each year and with as many as 90,000 cases of elder abuse every year in the State of Michigan; and WHEREAS the majority of elder abuse is unreported, making it a silent epidemic, resulting in only 1 of 14 cases ever being reported to the authorities; and WHEREAS the effects of elder abuse - the physical, sexual, emotional, or financial - places elderly victims at a high risk for premature death; and WHEREAS the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) states elders who experience abuse had a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who had not been abused; and WHEREAS the abuse experienced by older adults is life-changing and affects their psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being and leaves the victim feeling there is nowhere to turn; and WHEREAS the annual financial loss by victims of elder financial exploitation were estimated at $2.9 billion in 2009; and WHEREAS elder abuse victims have a difficult time in seeking refuge from their abusive environment due to the lack resources and safe, temporary shelters; and WHEREAS June 15, 2018 has been designated by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations; and WHEREAS much remains to be done to support our elders and prevent elder abuse; and WHEREAS the continued support of our state and local community resources that provide counseling, medical care, safe shelter, legal resources, and skilled nursing care all in an effort to assist older adults who are vulnerable or in crisis with programs and services to support them in their time of need; and WHEREAS the expansion of collaboration among community resources to create a network of support to ensure safe and healthy living environments as well as for older adults to live as independently, as possible, for as long as possible; and WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognizes June 15, 2018 as being set aside as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable older adults. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does hereby declare June 15, 2018 to be World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Oakland County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners acknowledge the serious need to support and protect the vulnerable older adult residents of Oakland County from being victims of elder abuse, to support legislation and to raise public awareness about elder abuse. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the Area Agencies on Aging — Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Aging and Adult Services Agency, the Jewish Senior Life, the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature. Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. Weiete: 7-1-12 CommissioneLlIela(ne Zack Distri Commissioner Tom Berman District #5 ''NN Commissioner Bill Dwyer District #14 Commissioner District #/,‘ r:- Commissionpr District # / issioner District # Commissioner District # Com issioner Hugh Crawford Dis,t4 t #9 • / A Commissioner DistrictLi missioner ict # 115— ommissi District # Co Dip Commissioner She aub District #12 cl-lcuty 1) • /7 Commishionkr Gary McGillivray Distr Commissioner Bb Hoff District #2 Commissione Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #18229 May 17, 2018 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.