The 2022 Senior Safety Forum recognizing and supporting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day drew over 400 attendees at seven senior centers around the county and over a thousand people viewed the presentations virtually. This was the county’s 12th annual forum that focused on raising awareness about senior safety and elder abuse. Links to recordings of each event are included below.
The schedule of events included:
Monday, June 13th: Recognizing Elder Abuse in an Increasingly Virtual World
Click here to watch a recording of the event. Use Passcode: ^X8Cu+!d
There were real life stories of victims from some of the latest scams out there, tips on staying safe while on the internet and a music therapist who got us all singing and dancing in our seats! Here are the names of the presenters starting with Mario, the Chair of the Committee and hosting: Lucille Baur, former PIO with Montgomery County was also fielding questions and answers throughout from our seven locations in the County. This is the first time we have had events at seven different senior centers with hand out give-aways at all of them.
Speakers included:
Mario Wawrzusin
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Aging & Disability Services
Oscar Mensah, PhD.,
Social Services Officer
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Diane Eisenhower MT-BC
Certified Musical Therapist
DLE Music Therapy
Lorena Bailey, Investigator
Office of Consumer Protection:
Contact 240-777-3636
Email: Consumer@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov
Amy Thomas, Investigator
Adult Protective Services (APS)
240-777- 3000
Tuesday, June 14th: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
The program was presented in Spanish and English.
Click here to watch the event in Spanish. Use Passcode: 1B=aD83h
Speakers included:
- Dina Rivera, Main Presenter, of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office
- Sydney Palinkas, Cameo appearance, Associate Director, ElderSAFE, Charles E. Smith Life Communities
- Cheryl Kravitz, Yoga Instructor, APR, CFRE, and Owner of CRK Communications
- Jim Resnick, MCFRS, Senior Safety Program Coordinator
Click here to watch a recording of the event in English. Use Passcode: A85zm=.W
Speakers included:
- Dina Rivera, State’s Attorney’s Office
- Sydney Palinkas, Associate Director, ElderSAFE Center, Charles E. Smith Life Communities
- Cheryl Kravitz, Yoga Instructor, APR, CFRE, and Owner of CRK Communications
Thursday, June 16th: Staying Connected Safely
Click here to watch a recording of the event. Use Passcode: .u&W7Yr#
Speakers included:
- State’s Attorney John McCarthy who talked about risks to seniors and being safe.
- Jim Resnick, Senior Safety Program Coordinator for the Fire and Rescue Service.
- Diana Varela, Public Affairs Specialist, the Social Security Administration, provided information on current services available at your local SSA.
- Bunmi Akinola, Dance Instructor, Contractor w/the Recreation Department, provided the dance segment at the end of our webinar.
Each session included activities and opportunities for question and answers. Participation was offered virtually online or in person at one of the local senior centers.
