The Jewish Home Family has opened a new center, the SeniorHaven Center for Elder Abuse Prevention, to be launched with a community breakfast on Tuesday, July 28th. The center will serve as an emergency safe haven for seniors suffering from abuse, by offering short term crisis stabilization stays for seniors for 90-120 days, free of charge. The seniors will be provided with full service care, including medical care, nursing services, pastoral care, rehabilitation services and more services suited to each senior’s individual needs.
“There are between three and a half and five million victims of elder abuse in this country every year,” explained Jewish Home Family President and CEO, Carol Silver Elliott. “It’s an issue that exists in every community across the country and around the world. Sheltering victims of elder abuse in domestic violence shelters is possible but not optimal. But sheltering victims within the walls of a long term care facility or nursing facility is very possible, because the services and support that these frail older adults need are all right here.”
Elder abuse can take all the forms of other types of domestic violence. It can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual, and almost always includes a form of financial exploitation. Seniors often may feel embarrassed or reluctant to come forward because they fear they will not be believed, or worry that coming forward will result in a breakdown of the relationship they share with their abuser, who is oftentimes a family member.
SeniorHaven plans to ensure that the victims will be well cared for, even after they leave the shelter. “Discharge planning begins the day of admission to ensure that the victim will leave the shelter, after their stay, and go on to live in the safest, least restrictive environment,” said Elliott.
As the only elder abuse center in New Jersey, and one of twelve of its kind across America, SeniorHaven hopes to promote a greater awareness of elder abuse in our communities. “Education will also be a critical part of the mission of SeniorHaven, helping build community awareness and inform the professional community,” said Elliott. “We hope to raise the level of understanding of elder abuse in our community and to make our area a safer place for all seniors, especially the most vulnerable.”
Referrals to SeniorHaven may be made by calling 855-455-0555 and may come from any professional in the community, including social service agencies, hospital social workers, Adult Protective Services and others. Speakers on elder abuse prevention and warning signs are also available and may be booked by calling 201-518-1176 or emailing [email protected].
The July 28th community breakfast is open to the public and will feature a speech by CEO and president, Carol Silver Elliott. The breakfast will be held at 8 am at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, 10 Link Dr., Rockleigh, NJ, 07647.
By Esther Hirsch
