In synchronization with groups across the region, the Macon County Elder Abuse Awareness Walk took to the streets of downtown Franklin on June 17 to get people to protect what one speaker called “our seasoned citizens.”
Meeting at the downtown gazebo, people gathered for the yearly event, many wearing neon-green T-shirts in solidarity to stop elder abuse.
“According to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, in fiscal year 22-23, there were approximately 35,400 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable and older adults made to our departments of social services in North Carolina,” said Macon County Senior Services Director Kim Crawford. “That’s crazy when you think about it. Those are the ones that are reported… there’s probably at least that many that go unreported.”
Crawford said anyone who witnesses elder abuse should report it to local law enforcement or the Macon County Department of Social Services.
“I think we have a responsibility to make sure we take care of our elders,” said Macon County Commissioners Board Chair Gary Shields. “Because some of these days, you’re going to enter that era too.”
Lake Silver, from U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards’ office, said the Crawford Senior Center sets a high standard.
“These folks have worked their lives,” Silver said. “They’ve built everything that we have around us, and we have to respect our past populations and our elders.”
Franklin Mayor Jack Horton talked about starting the Department of Aging when he was the county manager, and implored people to take care of the elderly in their lives.
“They think about us. We should think about them and the things that they need and make sure that they have what they need to have and make sure they’re treated fairly because there’s so many people out there this day and time looking to take advantage of elderly people, either financially or otherwise, and you’ve got to be on the lookout for that,” Horton said.
Macon County’s representative for the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature Pat Hedrick talked about her role and about the namesake of the Crawford Senior Center, Dot Crawford.
Hedrick invoked one of Crawford’s favorite sayings: “We just have to keep on keeping on and that’s what we’re going to do,” she said. “This includes looking out for the elderly, as they’re the target of scam attempts.”
After the speeches, in conjunction with groups all over WNC, the Macon County Elder Abuse Awareness Walk started at 6 p.m., walking down the sidewalks of East Main Street and back. Renee’s Cake Shoppe had cupcakes and lemonade for the walkers on the hot Monday afternoon, as they concluded the walk back at the gazebo.