Berkshire Bank Participates in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank will once again participate in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday, June 15, by hosting free informational seminars at local senior centers and libraries across its footprint. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is acknowledged annually in June as a call to action for communities to address the issues surrounding the physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders.

Elder financial abuse is defined as a crime that deprives the resources and independence of elders through the misuse of assets and exploitation of financial control.

“According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately one in 10 Americans 60 years of age or older have experienced some form of elder abuse, and only one in 14 cases of financial exploitation are ever reported. Developing programs to educate friends, families, and elders in our communities on how to work together to safeguard their finances and personal information is the first step to address and prevent elder abuse,” said Tami Gunsch, executive vice president, Retail Banking at Berkshire Bank.

To help older individuals and their caregivers protect themselves or their loved ones from financial abuse, Berkshire Bank is offering a series of free seminars to the public at locations across its footprint. Locally, they will take place at the West Springfield Library on Friday, June 15 at 2 p.m.; and at the Cheshire Senior Center on Wednesday, June 27 at 1 p.m.

Senior centers and libraries are welcome to contact Berkshire Bank at volunteer@berkshirebank.com to schedule an elder-abuse awareness seminar.