 “Here in Illinois there are more than two million older adults ages
60 and older,” said Illinois Department on Aging Director John K.
Holton, Ph.D. “In honor of Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day and
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us respect our elders and
protect the most vulnerable by learning more about elder rights and
abuse prevention.”
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner proclaimed June 14, 2015 as
Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day (proclamation follows this
release). The day recognizes grandparent rights and the negative
effects of being alienated from a child’s life. The national
non-profit organization, GRAND USA (Grandparent Rights Advocates
National Delegation), will be hosting a webinar on June 14 on
grandparent rights and promoting healthy family relationships.
“GRAND USA feels that Illinois children deserve strong family bonds.
Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day will focus attention on the
plight of thousands of grandchildren and grandparents who are denied
loving relationships for a variety of reasons,” said Lilly Black,
Founder of Grand USA.
June 15 marks the observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
This day highlights the need to end physical, emotional, and
financial abuse of elders. Around the world, supporters honor the
day by wearing purple to show solidarity in ending elder abuse and
neglect.
“Last year, there were more than 14,000 reports of elder abuse in
Illinois. While that may seem high, it shows an increase in
awareness,” said Director Holton. “Everyday seniors are abused and
exploited; sometimes by those they trust the most. I encourage
everyone to support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by wearing the
color purple to show you want an end to elder abuse.”
The Adult Protective Services Program within IDoA responds to
reports of mistreatment and exploitation against older adults in the
community. The program is coordinated through providers trained to
assist and/or intervene. If you or someone you know is a victim,
call local law enforcement or the Departments’ 24-hour Adult
Protective Services Hotline at 866-800-1409.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006, by
the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA):
http://ncea.aoa.gov/Get_Involved/Awareness/ WEAAD/index.aspx
To sign up for the GRAND USA webinar, log on to
http://www.grandparentsacademy.com/ webinar. For more
information about GRAND USA visit their website at
http://www.grand-usa.org
[to top of second
column] |
 For more information about programs and services to
assist older adults in Illinois, their families and caregivers, log
on to the department website at:
http://www.illinois.gov/aging/ or call the Department on
Aging at 1-800-252-8966 or (TTY, hearing impaired use) call
1-888-206-1327.
The text of the Governor’s proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, strong family relationships constitute the foundation of
our community; and,
WHEREAS, alienation behaviors are frequently present in
high-conflict divorces, separations, asymmetrical custody
arrangements, and in intact marriages, often causing mental and
emotional anguish to children; and
WHEREAS, alienation is a term used to describe any number of
behaviors and attitudes on the part of one or both parents designed
to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship between a child and
family member; and,
WHEREAS, alienation takes advantage of the innocent and
impressionable, as well as the suggestibility and dependency of a
child depriving children of their right to love and be loved by
their extended family; and,
WHEREAS mental health professionals agree that the negative effects
of alienation can follow a child into adulthood with tragic
consequences; and,
WHEREAS the recently published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-5) made several references to the
dysfunctional family dynamic of alienation to be a form of
psychological child abuse; and,
WHEREAS Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day is intended to increase
the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help families,
institutions, the legal and mental health community, and leaders to
beter identify and combat such abusive behavior to children;
THEREFORE, I, Bruce Rauner, Governor of the State of Illinois, do
hereby proclaim June 14, 2015 as GRANDPARENT ALIENATION AWARENESS
DAY in Illinois.
[Illinois Department
of Aging] |
