“March Against Elder Abuse” Event Held in Plymouth Raised Awareness of Elder Abuse

More than 150 participated in the March Against Elder Abuse on Thursday, June 26, 2025, that began at Tavern on the Wharf and proceeded down Main Street in Plymouth, MA.

The one-mile march, which is centered around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), was an effort to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of elder abuse and promote a safer, more supportive environment for older adults in the community.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) held the event in partnership with the Plymouth Center for Active Living, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

“The March Against Elder Abuse is an opportunity to increase awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “We thank everyone who participated in our Plymouth March and those who have joined the movement to take the lead against elder abuse. We must continue to work together to raise awareness of this critical issue.”

After the march, a luncheon was held at the Tavern on the Wharf that included special guest speakers Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz ,Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director, Chief of Plymouth Police and trained comfort dogs.

The “Pat Foley Advocacy Award,” was given in memory of longtime OCES employee, volunteer, and advocate Pat Foley. This year’s awards were presented to Sergeant Emiliann Melo of the Lakeville Police Department, Steve Valerio of the Middleboro Police Department, Kevin Manuel of the Plymouth Police Department, and Elmer Robinson, OCES Protective Services Worker.

March Against Elder Abuse events are part of OCES’ WEAAD campaign.

OCES’ March Against Elder Abuse event in Plymouth was sponsored by Abbott Home Health Care, Inc. For more information about our sponsor, visit https://www.abbottcare.com/ Thank you to all our sponsors: Plymouth County District Attorney; Home Health Resources, Inc.; Bluestone Bank; HarborOne Bank; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department; Rotary Club of Brockton; and Almeida & Carlson Insurance.

Other ways to get involved in the movement against elder abuse include sponsorship of events; sharing educational materials with your networks to raise awareness; and by 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 abuse according to the National Center on Elder Abuse,” said Kourtz. “Elder abuse is known as a ‘silent problem’. It is estimated that only 1 in 14 cases are reported, which is why raising awareness of elder abuse and its signs are so important.”

Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; neglect; self-neglect; and financial exploitation. According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, 43,617 elder abuse reports were received during Fiscal Year 2024.

OCES’ Protective Services staff works with older adults, or their designees, to prevent, eliminate, or remedy situations involving elder abuse. When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline), and the elderly reside in our service area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is necessary.

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://elderjustice.usc.edu/weaad-home/