June is Elder Abuse Awareness month and as the month comes to a close, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Sturgeon Bay is sharing a message of hope. Through their compassionate mission and valuable resources, the ADRC wants you to know that help is always available.

There are two staff members that work on-site at ADRC that specifically work with the Adult Protective Service program. Each June, they work to bring recognition to the issue of elder abuse. This year, they partnered with businesses in the Sturgeon Bay area to place information stickers on to-go food packaging. The stickers contained the phone number to the ADRC and the Elder Abuse Hotline. 

Aging and Disability Resource Center Executive Director Jenny Fitzgerald says in instances when abuse is suspected, staff perform an intake to get more information on any given situation. She also said fear is often the biggest reason individuals are hesitant to report abuse, and that she hopes to break that stigma. 

“I think people are scared, they’re scared to report something that is happening maybe in their life or some else is in fear of retaliation of the person that’s doing the abusing,” said Fitzgerald, “this is probably one of the reasons that most people don’t report things; they don’t want to get anybody in trouble or maybe themselves in trouble.” 

If you or anyone you know is being abused, you can make a report by calling the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline Program toll-free at 1-833-586-0107, connect with Door County Adult Protective Services via their website here, or by reaching out to the ADRC.

“We want adults to know that there is support if you see a family member or friend, whatever the case might be,” Fitzgerald added, “I’d welcome them to give us a call and we’ll do the best that we can to help you through the tough situation.”