COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.-- On Friday, June 15, it's World Elder Awareness day and Collier county is especially focusing on this issue.
The Florida Department of Children and Families reported 570 investigations of elderly abuse in 2017, specifically in Collier.
The Leadership Coalition on Aging (LCOA) says the main issue in Collier County is neglect, which can mean malnutrition, dehydration and unsanitary living conditions.
Heather Baker with the LCOA says, "People's abilities to care for themselves erode over time, and it's very hard to draw a line as to where someone needs help and when someone can still remain independent."
If you suspect an elderly person may be abused or isolated, call the Florida abuse hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
