Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques joined other Maryland officials and non-profits this week to kick off PROTECT Week 2023 – a statewide awareness and education campaign targeting abuse and financial exploitation of older adults.
AARP Maryland hosted a press conference on Monday, June 12, with a coalition of federal and local government, business owners, and consumer groups, followed by a live tele-town hall conversation with advice from leading experts on fraud and abuse.
“The Maryland Department of Aging is committed to the safety and well-being of older Marylanders and supports efforts across multiple sectors and state agencies to achieve that end,” Secretary Roques said. “Our goal is to provide protections for older people, including teaching them how to protect themselves.”
Secretary Roques presented a proclamation during the press conference on behalf of Governor Wes Moore, proclaiming June 15, 2023 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults and encourage taking action to raise awareness, prevent, and address this abuse.
Secretary Roques described how the department works with its 19 local Area Agencies on Aging in every jurisdiction across the state to help combat abuse and keep older Marylanders safe through several Department of Aging programs including:
- The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which protects the rights and promotes the well-being of the more than 50,000 residents currently living in assisted livings and nursing homes in Maryland;
- The Public Guardianship Program, which serves older adults who have been deemed by a court of law to lack the capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning their daily living needs;
- The Senior Legal Assistance Program, which provides access to legal advice, counseling, and representation to older Marylanders, local Ombudsmen, and health insurance counselors; and
- The Senior Medicare Patrol, which teaches Medicare and Medicaid clients how to recognize and report health care fraud, waste, abuse, or error.
Many free PROTECT Week events are taking place this month across Maryland, including shred-it days, town halls, local fairs, community outreach programs, and daily streaming webinars with interviews and tips from leading experts. Click hereto see a list of events; Click here to learn more about financial exploitation of older adults and what you can do to help stop it.
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