Monday was Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and Troy recognized the issue with a balloon release in front of the Pike County Courthouse.

“President Obama has proclaimed June 15 as elder abuse awareness day,” said William Davis, director of the Department of Human Resources. “It is important because we all have family members who are elderly and who can be the subject of elder abuse. They need our protection because a lot of times they are not able to take care of themselves. It is a growing problem that hits right here at home.”

About thirty purple balloons floated to the sky Monday morning. Purple is the symbolic color for elder abuse, according to Davis.

“We just want to raise awareness that elder abuse happens across all socio economic lines,” Davis said. “It can be in the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse or financial exploitation.”

Representatives from local organizations came to show their support for the cause

“We found it important to really show that we support making it aware that elder abuse happens and that it needs to be noticed and prevented,” said Melissa Enfinger, admissions director at Troy Health & Rehabilitation.

Davis said that Pike County receives about 15 reports of elder abuse each month. Each of those reports are investigated. Raven Boswell, an Adult Protective Services worker in Pike County works with those investigations.

“There is a growing issue with elder abuse and we really need to look after one another,” Boswell said.

“If you have a neighbor and you don’t see them for several days, go over and check on them. It’s not just the elderly. Anybody over the age of 18 can be exploited, abused and neglected. We just need to be aware of the issue and try to help any way that we can.

“The elderly populations means a lot to me,” she continued.

“They hold a special place in my heart. A lot of times they do get looked over.”