On Thursday, May 22, 2014, the Stoneham Council on Aging, in conjunction with the Elder Justice Network of the Greater North Shore and Stoneham TRIAD, will present an original play entitled, “Breaking the Silence: Voices of Hope.” The play, which presents real and inspiring stories from victims of elder abuse and neglect, will be presented at 10:00 a.m. at the Stoneham Senior Center, 136 Elm Street. The play will be acted out by local seniors. Admission is free and all members of the community are invited to attend. Please RSVP to the Stoneham Senior Center at 781-438-1157 by May 20 as seating is limited.
“This is not an easy topic for most people to talk about, so we wanted to find a creative way to raise awareness about the problem but in a forum that will give hope to victims,” says Katie Galenius, LICSW, who is a co-chair of the Elder Justice Network and the director of a unique program at Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) that offers help and support to older women throughout the North Shore who are the victims of abuse by an intimate spouse or partner. “What we find is that these performances really get people thinking and talking about elder abuse and neglect—which is the reason we started the Elder Justice Network in the first place.” The play’s premiere performance was held at the Beverly Senior Center in the spring of 2010 and has since been performed at several other area senior centers.
“Elder abuse is a rapidly growing problem, despite the fact that it remains one of the most underreported crimes nationwide,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “Elder abuse comes in many different forms, from physical and psychological abuse to financial scams and caretaker neglect. Through my county-wide Elder Abuse Task Force, we have been working with police and community partners to address this issue in a coordinated, collaborative way. If you believe that you are the victim of elder abuse, please contact the Stoneham Police Department. Making a timely report is important to protecting you, and may also help to protect your friends and neighbors.”
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“I am proud that our seniors have taken on this important topic and are working so hard to bring it to the attention of the rest of the community,” said Maureen Canova, Director of the Stoneham Council on Aging.
The Elder Justice Network of the Greater North Shore, a grassroots, community-based group of volunteers, is sponsored by GLSS. For more information about joining or to request a presentation about elder abuse and neglect to a group in your community, contact Katie Galenius, LICSW, at 781-586-8668.
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The Stoneham Senior Center is overseen by the Stoneham Council on Aging—a group of appointed citizen representatives—and offers a broad range of social, educational, recreational, and health and wellness programs—including an affordable lunch every weekday—for people age 60 and older. Stoneham TRIAD is the group that works with local public safety and health departments to help ensure that seniors in our community are safe.
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Dennis O'Hara is a freelance marketing and communications professional for businesses and nonprofits, and serves as the Communications Coordinator for the Stoneham Senior Center.
