STANDING UP FOR SENIORS:
Top County, State Leaders to Discuss Fight Against Elder Abuse
Documentary on Senior Scams to Be Shown After Press Conference
NIAGARA FALLS, N,Y. — Niagara County takes a dim view of all forms of elder abuse, and top state and county leaders will offer media and community leaders insights into the hot topic of elder financial abuse Thursday at the John A. Duke Senior Center in Niagara Falls.
The media is invited to a special program that day that will provide information on this issue, with county and state leaders including District Attorney Caroline Wojtaszek and Sheriff James R. Voutour, joining new Niagara County office for the Aging Director Darlene DiCarlo to discuss elder abuse and financial crimes against the elderly. The program runs from 10 a.m. to noon.
The OFA will screen the documentary “Fleeced” at Thursday, and is inviting members of the Western New York press corps to attend, so they can learn more about an underreported topic that has become more prevalent in recent years, as retired Baby Boomers head into their golden years: scams, financial products and even caretaker and family deceptions that aim to part seniors from a lifetime of savings.
“Every June—which is Elder Abuse Awareness Month—the Office for the Aging has advocated for reform to protect vulnerable seniors,” DiCarlo explained. “Abuse of our elderly population can take many forms, and we want to discuss steps we’re taking to push back and end it.”
Thursday’s film screening follows a press conference that will feature DiCarlo, Wojtaszek, Voutour, County Legislator David E. Godfrey, R-Wilson, Commissioner of Social Services Anthony Restaino, Mayor Paul A. Dyster, D-Niagara Falls, a representative of Sen. Robert G. Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and a social worker from the Center for Elder Law and Justice.
“It’s important that the press and public officials have a chance to ask our government leaders questions about what we’re doing to protect seniors and see to their wellbeing,” DiCarlo said. “We want to showcase our efforts to stop elder abuse.”
WHO: Niagara County Office for the Aging Director Darlene DiCarlo, District Attorney Caroline Wojtaszek, Sheriff James R. Voutour, County Legislator David E. Godfrey, Commissioner of Social Services Anthony Restaino, Mayor Paul A. Dyster, a representative of Sen. Robert G. Ortt, and Katie Earl of the Center for Elder Law and Justice.
WHAT: Discussing strategies for fighting elder abuse, including elder financial abuse; screening “Fleeced“; offering media availability to discuss full array of senior programs and steps.
WHEN: Thursday, June 21, at 10 a.m.