Montgomery County to Host 12th Annual County Senior Safety Forum; Will Offer Virtual and Live Streamed Sessions at County Senior Centers

Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Maryland Protect Week, leaders of the Montgomery County Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Task Force will host the 12th Annual County Senior Safety Forum from June 13-16. The multi-day event is sponsored by the County’s Departments of Health and Human Services and Recreation; the Office of Consumer Protection;  ElderSAFE Charles E. Smith Life Communities; and the Family Justice Center Foundation.

This year’s forum is a series of informative and fun live streamed sessions discussing ‘Staying Connected Safely.’ Each session includes active audience participation through music, yoga, meditation, and question and answer opportunities.  Residents can participate in each session virtually, or at in-person viewing parties hosted at County senior centers.

“We want to make sure that we are a community where people of all ages can thrive and learn,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “We have a growing older adult population, and we are pleased to host our Senior Safety Forum to provide the tools residents need to stay safe,” “More than 3.5 million older adults are cheated out of more than $3 billion each year at an average loss of $34,200.  This is unacceptable.  I encourage older residents to attend the forum to help them learn to identify scams, protect their identity, and learn how to report this predatory behavior.  Prevention is paramount when it comes to protecting the livelihood of our older adult residents.”

The schedule of events:

Monday, June 13 at 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Opening music featuring music therapist Tom Sweitzer. Recognizing Elder Abuse in an Increasingly Virtual World with Health & Human Services and the Office of Consumer Protection.

Tuesday, June 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships in Spanish with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and followed by yoga instructor  Cheryl Kravitz.

Tuesday, June 14 from 12:30 TO 1:45 p.m.
Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships in English with ElderSAFE and followed by yoga instructor Cheryl Kravitz.

Thursday, June 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Staying Connected Safely, State’s Attorney’s Office, Recreation Department.

According to data from the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and being disconnected can have adverse physical and mental impacts on seniors. In addition to this year’s Senior Safety Forum, the county has made an effort during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce senior isolation, including the release of a toolkit and hosting a 2021 Commission on Aging forum on countering social isolation.

To attend the forum virtually, sign up through   Eventbrite. Sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services are available upon request, preferably at least three days before the event. For information or to request accommodations , call 240-777-1841 or MD Relay 711or email [email protected].   For more information about programs and services for seniors, visit the County’s Senior site online.