In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department took to social media to highlight the myriad forms of mistreatment that seniors can endure. The post by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department underlined that elder abuse could manifest as physical, emotional, or financial harm, imploring the community at large to raise their voices against such injustices.
The department's statement, unequivocally somber in timbre, served as a reminder that abuse and neglect are not confined to the circumstances of strangers; they could just as readily happen to a family member, a neighbor—even oneself. "Abuse and neglect can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you," the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department warned, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and education in preventing such harm. Neglect, the department cautioned, could stem from sheer ignorance, or may be rooted in deliberate intention.
With community action in mind, the department didn't merely call for awareness. It provided concrete steps for reporting elder abuse within Waukesha County. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County (ADRC) serves as a beacon for those needing guidance or seeking help for someone in peril.
Residents were instructed that they could report cases of suspected elder abuse by contacting the ADRC directly through their webpage or by calling their helpline at (262) 548-7848, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
