Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill held a press conference in conjunction with Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services Communication Manager Afton January for Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Elder abuse affects 1 in 10 older adults, but it often goes unreported. The National Council on Aging Raising points out that one study has estimated that only 1 in 24 cases of abuse are reported to authorities. For an example of the scope of the criminal conduct associated with elder abuse and exploitation, in Salt Lake County between 2023-2025, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed 25 second-degree felony aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult charges and 12 second-degree felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult charges. There were 60 class A misdemeanor intentional abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult charges filed in the same period.
 
Utah is a mandatory reporter state. This means that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited must immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement office. If what you see is an emergency, please call 911, you can also report suspected abuse directly to Utah’s hotline to report abuse/neglect of seniors and adults with disabilities, which is 800-371-7897 (M-F, 8a-5p). You can also report it online 24/7 at https://daas.utah.gov/adult-protective-services/

Reporting Abuse. Utah law (62A-3-305 opens in a new tab) mandates any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited must immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement office.
daas.utah.gov
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There are ways to help prevent abuse from happening, including keeping the elderly loved ones in your life connected to their community through regular social engagement. Visiting a local Senior Center is a powerful way to stay connected and engaged. These centers provide social support, nutrition, activities, and wellness resources that help protect against isolation and neglect. You can also be sure you are checking on them regularly, not just over an audio phone call, but through physical visits or video phone calls so you can see them and perhaps notice any signs of abuse or neglect.
 
As part of Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services commitment to education and prevention, Salt Lake County senior centers will host Elder Abuse Awareness events on Wednesday, June 18, immediately following lunch service. You can share with your audiences how to find Senior centers in Salt Lake County by sharing the QR at the bottom of this press release.
 
 “The way we treat the elderly in our community says something about the values that we espouse. The world we live in today was built by those who are now some of the most vulnerable in our society, we owe it to them to offer respect, care, and justice when they have been made victims of abuse, exploitation, or neglect,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “Prosecution is only part of the solution. We need families, neighbors, and care providers to help prevent abuse before it starts. Our seniors deserve to live with dignity and safety, not fear and isolation.”
 
 
“"Ending elder abuse starts with awareness—and with connection. By reaching out, listening, and standing together, we can protect our older adults and ensure no one faces aging alone or in silence,” said Afton January, Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services Communications Manager.
 
See attachments for signs of elder abuse, exploitation, neglect and self-neglect. Please share these with your audience.
 
To find Senior Centers in Salt Lake County https://slco.to/5wmi61vn