Breaking the Silence on Elder Abuse

When Richard Astrein, his wife and siblings were looking for an assisted living home for their mother, they left no stone unturned. "We looked throughout our area of Birmingham, Royal Oak and Southfield, and at the end of many visits and all of our research, we moved our mom into St. Anne's Mead -- and it was the best decision we could have made. We wanted the highest quality care we could find in the area. We wanted a place where we would be greeted and known -- we wanted a home, not an institution. Unfortunately, we've all heard stories about elder abuse and neglect," said Astrein.

Indeed, the National Institute of Health reports that 1 in 10 individuals over the age of 60 will experience some form of elder abuse in the U.S.

With the emphasis on prevention, Astrein and his wife, Debbie are co-chairing an event called "An Evening of Empowerment: Breaking the Silence on Elder Abuse," along with Carrie and Ed Proctor on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at The Community House of Birmingham. "We don't hear about elder abuse often yet we know it is a major issue. There is something we can do about it. My hope is people will join us to gain good information and education," said Carrie Proctor.

The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is partnering with St. Anne's Mead on this event and takes the issue of elder abuse very seriously. The Very Rev'd Dr. Scott Hunter, Dean of The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, said, "It is important to say that we want to end abuse of all kinds for all ages and all life circumstances. Within the collected arena of human abuses, the physical, emotional, and financial abuse of our elders is particularly challenging and sadly escalating. Often very astute and capable seniors can experience decline in judgment, with or without being self-aware of it, and an increase in fear (the fear of losing abilities, losing control of their lives, or of not being believed) without warning or prior indicators. It becomes incumbent on us, as adult children, caregivers, and professionals, to establish systems that are worthy of others' trust to assist and protect them. However we cannot rest on that trust; we must be committed to "trust and verify" in a continuous and on-going manner. It is really the only way."

What:

An Evening of Empowerment: Breaking the Silence on Elder Abuse will include dinner, drinks, entertainment, compelling speakers, a silent auction and engaging conversation.

Who:

Breaking the Silence on Elder Abuse features Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who started the county's first Elder Abuse Prosecutorial Unit. Prosecutor Worthy will address the various types of elder abuse, how to prevent it and intervene if need be. She will be joined by Dr. Stacey Ruff, a Geriatrician at the Beaumont Geriatric Clinic in Berkley and an Assistant Medical Director at Beaumont Hospice. She is also involved in educating the Geriatric Fellows-in-Training as the Associate Fellowship Program Director. Dr. Ruff will address neglect and the impact of abuse on an elderly person's overall health. Financial experts will also educate on the prevention of financial elder abuse.

Veteran news anchor, Sherry Margolis of WJBK Fox 2 Detroit, will host and moderate the event.

When/Where:

The Community House of Birmingham | 380 S. Bates | Birmingham, MI 48009

Thursday, November 9, 2017 | Doors open 6:00 p.m. | Event ends 9:30 p.m.

Valet Parking

Tickets:

Premium Tickets are $125 per person and include dinner, two drink tickets and premium seating.

General Tickets are $75 per person and include dinner, one drink ticket and general seating.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.stannesmead.org.

Why:

The event will not only raise awareness of elder abuse prevention, it will also raise funds for St. Anne's Mead's state-of-the-art memory care home, which will open in 2018. The campaign, "Memory Matters: Because Memory is What Makes Us," is addressing the fact that memory care is a great and growing need of the 21st Century. More than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's disease,the most common form of dementia, and this number is expected to nearly triple to 14 million by 2050. "Seniors with dementia are extremely vulnerable to elder abuse," said Dr. Ruff.

With Gratitude:

Thanking our sponsors, to date, including: Beaumont Health, The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Unidine, Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, Hour Detroit and WJBK Fox 2 Detroit.

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