Hundreds participate in local marches to raise awareness of elder abuse.

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) in June, two Marches Against Elder Abuse events brought hundreds together to raise awareness about elder abuse.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), in partnership with the Brockton Council on Aging, Plymouth Center for Active Living, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, hosted two one-mile "March Against Elder Abuse" events in Brockton and Plymouth.

At the Brockton “March Against Elder Abuse” on June 16, 2026, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Brockton Mayor Moises Rodrigues; and the Brockton Police Department were among more than 100 participants at the event.

After the march, a luncheon was held at the Brockton COA with special guest speakers Janice Fitzgerald, Director of Brockton Council on Aging; Mayor Rodrigues; District Attorney Cruz; Kathy Kats, AbbottCare OCES’ primary sponsor; and Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director.  

The “Pat Foley Advocacy Award” was given in memory of longtime OCES employee, volunteer, and advocate Pat Foley. This year’s award was presented to Stephanie Cantave, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the Town of Easton.

More than 100 also participated in the Plymouth “March Against Elder Abuse” held June 25, 2026. State Representative Michelle Badger along with Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; Plymouth County; Sheriff Joseph McDonald Department; as well as the Plymouth Police Department were present.

A luncheon at Hotel 1620 was held after the march with special guest speakers Cheryl Jones, Director of Plymouth Center for Active Living; District Attorney Cruz; and Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. During the luncheon, the “Pat Foley Advocacy Awards” were presented to Carol Hamilton, Director of Marshfield Council on Aging; Judy Caldas, Outreach Coordinator of Marshfield COA; and Attorney Tim Ciaffoni.

“OCES’ March Against Elder Abuse events are part of our World Elder Abuse Awareness campaign to increase awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults,” said Kourtz. “Only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse are reported. Our ‘March Against Elder Abuse’ events are important as they raise awareness of the devastating impacts of elder abuse and promote a safer, more supportive environment for older adults in our community.”

The March Against Elder Abuse events were made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. Abbott Care served as the primary sponsor, with additional sponsorship provided by Anodyne, Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Plymouth Lions Club, Bluestone Bank, Almeida & Carlson Insurance Agency, and Diman Laundry.

Kourtz continued, “We thank everyone who marched with us and joined the movement to take the lead against elder abuse. It is imperative that we continue to work together to raise awareness of this critical issue.”

To get involved in the movement against elder abuse, consider sponsorship of events, sharing educational materials with your networks to help raise awareness or donating to OCES in support of its Protective Services Department that advocates for and assists older adults.

One in 10 older adults aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, 46,426 elder abuse reports were received during Fiscal Year 2025.

OCES’ Protective Services Program works with older adults, or their designees, to help prevent, address, and resolve situations involving elder abuse. When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) and the older adult resides within OCES’ service area, the report is forwarded to OCES to determine whether further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is needed.

If you have concerns, please contact your local Protective Services Agency. To report elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.

To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://ncea.usc.edu/weaad/

OCES has expanded its region to the South Shore and OCES Protective Services now encompasses the following towns: Abington, Avon, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Hanover, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleborough, Milton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Quincy, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, and Whitman.