Jun. 16, 2016
HARRISBURG – At a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg Wednesday, Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester/Montgomery), chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, was joined by Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne and others to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
“Many public servants work diligently to investigate cases of elder abuse in Pennsylvania and we salute the work they do to protect our seniors,” said Hennessey. “This is an ongoing tragedy in the Commonwealth and we have dedicated people who work to help seniors and their families.”
In addition to Hennessey and Osborne, other speakers were Liana Walters, democratic executive director, Senate Aging and Youth Committee; Brian LaForme, deputy secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities; Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-Northampton), ranking chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee; and Karen Buck, executive director of the SeniorLAW Center.
Hennessey said the annual observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 was launched in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization of the United Nations to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of seniors.
The annual National Adult Protective Services Association conference is being hosted by the Commonwealth this year from Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 in Philadelphia.
Hennessey stressed that it is imperative that if cases of elder abuse are suspected, they should be reported immediately.
“We have our Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) around Pennsylvania tasked with receiving reports of and investigating elder abuse cases. If residents suspect cases of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of seniors, they should call the 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505 to make a confidential report.”
The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee conducted an informational meeting on these issues earlier Wednesday that featured testimony from the administration and AAA representatives from various regions of the Commonwealth.
To view the press conference and the committee hearing, residents can visit Hennessey’s website at
RepHennessey.com.
Representative Tim Hennessey
26th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
rsmith@pahousegop.com
RepHennessey.com /
Facebook.com/RepHennessey