L-R: Community Affairs Director for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Darlene DeJesus;
Office for the Aging Deputy Director Danielle Diana; County Executive Steven Neuhaus; Office for the Aging
Director AnnMarie Maglione; Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health Darcie Miller.
All were at the MSMC event.
MID-HUDSON – Each year, approximately five million older Americans are victims of some type of elder abuse and to raise awareness to the issue, conferences were held at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh and SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge on Friday.
“The only way to effectively reduce elder abuse is to raise awareness about it,” said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. “This is especially important because many seniors subjected to abuse are unable or unwilling to report these crimes. Senior victims deserve the support of the entire community,” and to that end, the DA said his office continues to “proactively prosecute those who physically and financially abuse senior citizens.”
The Orange County forum “was an important vehicle to raise awareness about elder abuse,” said County Executive Steven Neuhaus, who said the county has a number of programs for victims.
“Like everyone, our senior citizens deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity as they continue to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers and active members of our community,” said Ulster County Executive Michael Hein. “Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Elder abuse happens all too often.”
