Raising awareness of elder abuse at “March Against Elder Abuse” event held in Brockton. Second March to be held in Plymouth on June 26.

More than 150 participated in the March Against Elder Abuse on Thursday, June 12, 2025 that began at the Brockton Council on Aging (COA), 10 Father Kenney Way, proceeded down Main Street to OCES’ office, then returned to the COA.
  
The one-mile march 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 Brockton COA, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

“The March Against Elder Abuse, which is centered around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, is an opportunity to increase awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults,” said Teresa Kourtz, LSW, MSG, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “Thank you to everyone who participated in our Brockton March and to 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.”

Robin Lipson, Secretary of Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) offered opening remarks at the event. Jonathan Fielding, Regional Manager of AGE, Mayor Robert Sullivan, City of Brockton, Alfred DeGirolamo, Office of Senator Michael Brady; State Representative Rita Mendes, Plymouth County Sherriff Joseph McDonald, State Representative Michelle Dubois, Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli, Alisa DeLage, OCES Chief Programs Officer, Anna Dee, OCES Chief Operating Officer, and Mark Grossman, AbbottCare Director of Marketing were also in attendance.

After the march, a luncheon was held which included special guest speakers Joseph McDonald, Plymouth County Sheriff; Robert Sullivan, Brockton Mayor; Janice Fitzgerald, Brockton COA Director; Robin Lipson, Secretary of AGE, Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director and Kathy Kats, AbbottCare.

The “Pat Foley Advocacy Award” in memory of Pat Foley, a longtime OCES employee, volunteer and advocate, was presented to Firefighter Peter Reardon, of the Brockton Fire Department.
     
Kourtz continued, “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 very important.”

A second March Against Elder Abuse will be held in Plymouth on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 11am to 2pm beginning at the Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, Plymouth. The one-mile march will be followed by a light lunch. Sign-in begins at 10:30 am. Anyone interested in participating in the March down Main Street (in downtown Plymouth) can register for free by visiting: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/brzkg8s?mode=preview&source_id=11acad85-5e3d-4587-a47b-48e8c4cd883d&source_type=em&c=
  
In addition to participating in March Against Elder Abuse events, you can get involved by sponsoring these initiatives, sharing educational materials within your networks to raise awareness, or making a donation to support OCES’ Protective Services Department in its efforts to advocate for and assist older adults.

This year’s March Against Elder Abuse events are proudly sponsored by AbbottCare, Inc.  For more information about the sponsor, please 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, Rotary Club of Brockton, and Almeida & Carlson Insurance.

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging and Independence, 43,617 elder abuse reports were received during Fiscal Year 2024.

Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; neglect; self-neglect; and financial exploitation.

OCES’ Protective Services Program 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 Older Adult resides 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/

OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561.