DCOA commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15th June with focus on ‘Financial Abuse’ ….

​The Dominica Council on Ageing Inc. (DCOA Inc.) joins people around the world in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, today Thursday 15th June 2017.  This observance provides individuals, groups, organizations, other civil & social institutions, the opportunity to engage attention, enlist support and generate activity and involvement at the grass-root level, in raising awareness of elder abuse. This year the Council focuses on the very important aspect; “Financial Abuse.”
 
Financial exploitation or abuse takes many forms: forgery, misuse of Power of Attorney as well as denying access to funds.   Accusation of witchcraft in some countries is used to justify property grabbing, ejection from homes and denial of family inheritance to widows.
 
Older persons risk falling victims to financial exploitation and social isolation; cognitive impairment; emotional or physical dependence on the perpetrator, financial dependence of the abuser on the Older persons, certain living arrangements, poverty, widowhood and lack of a support network.
 
In light of this the DCOA Inc. has planned a day of activities which includes a radio Panel Discussion on the theme “Financial Abuse, a Human Rights Issue", A TORCH RUN and A Mini-Rally which started at midday. Individuals will address the Rally on the topic of Financial Abuse. 
 
Financial Abuse is very rampant, and persons are being advised to report any financial maltreatment of the elderly to the Welfare Division, the Police Department, and Dominica Council on Ageing Inc, as you do something to reduce elder abuse in our community, and join the DCOA in its drive to build awareness and stop this dreadful phenomenon.