Commitment Beyond Care: Gardens of St. Francis hosts 2026 COPE Summit for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15.
COPE, Coalition of Organizations Protecting Elders, is a community- based team of just under 200 people representing more than 30 organizations in Lucas County. COPE is united in the fight against elder abuse, mismanagement and neglect.
The Gardens of St. Francis was honored to host the COPE Summit, and recognizes the importance of fostering environments where elders feel safe, respected and championed. The COPE Summit continues to be a powerful testament to the collective commitment within Lucas County to combat the heartbreaking realities of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
With 138 registered attendees, including healthcare professionals, caregivers, advocates and local leaders, the group gathered to share knowledge, strategize and collaborate together for a safer future for older adults. The Gardens of St. Francis was pleased to provide the venue and a warm breakfast at the start of the day, an offering extended to support this vital community initiative.
'Hosting this conference is not just about providing a space; it's about being an active participant in building a community where our elders are truly safe and cherished. It's a fundamental part of our mission,” said Marketing Director Kristy Wortketter.
The morning kicked off with an insightful keynote from the University of Toledo Dr. Alina R. Rais, Board Certified Psychiatrist and an esteemed expert on Geriatric Psychiatry, who shared her expertise on the nature of elder abuse, helping attendees identify the often-subtle signs and the profound impact it has on vulnerable seniors. Her specialization in Geriatric Psychiatry made her a qualified choice to guide the audience in understanding and identifying instances of elder abuse.
The agenda was designed to foster meaningful conversations and equip attendees with the tools to 'reimagine how we recognize, prevent, and respond to elder abuse within our homes and communities,” said local elder care law attorney and COPE leader, Carol M. Conlon.
At the summit, opportunities for community collaboration and networking were given, a compelling keynote presentation, two live Q&A panel discussions, as well as free CEUs for attendees, thanks to the support from the Area Agency on Aging.
Following this, local experts shared their expertise: ● Banking Center Manager at WesBanco Bank, Inc., Hilary Largent, offered crucial insights into the pervasive issue of financial exploitation, a form of abuse that often goes unnoticed until it's too late. She provided practical advice on protecting elders from predatory schemes.
● Adult Protective Services Coordinator, Christopher Jones, detailed the vital role of Adult Protective Services, outlining how his team responds to reports of abuse and neglect, and the resources available to help victims.
● SSA Public Affairs Officer Erin Thompson provided important information regarding Social Security benefits and how individuals can protect themselves and their loved ones from related scams.
● Lieutenant Kelli Russell shared the importance of timely reporting and how police departments investigate and prosecute elder abuse cases.
● And finally, CEO of the Area Office on Aging, Justin Moor, spoke about the comprehensive support and resources his organization provides, emphasizing the collaborative efforts necessary to address the needs of older adults in the region.
The discussions underscored the statistics: at least one in nine Americans over 60 experiences some form of elder mistreatment, and for every case reported, five more go unreported.
The Gardens of St. Francis stands firmly with COPE that 'increased awareness means each citizen can have an impact on protecting elders,” said Conlan.
Conlan spoke about the event’s significance: 'Today, June 15, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, COPE of Lucas County and the Area Office on Aging were able to come together with so many in our community to reinforce the commitment, the support and the advocacy that is needed to try and protect vulnerable adults in our communities.”
The Gardens of St. Francis believes the conference significantly strengthens the local network, empowering attendees to be more vigilant, more informed, and more proactive in safeguarding the wellbeing of the senior population.
They are proud to be a part of this vital effort and look forward to continuing its collaboration with COPE and its partners in building a safe community for elders.
CHI Living Communities has 12 campuses located in seven states and cares for more than 5,000 seniors annually and is among the largest senior living organizations in the nation.
Its parent company, Common-Spirit Health, has 140 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across the U.S.
For more information contact Kristy Wortketter at kristy.wortke tter@commonspirit.org or 419-4667589 ✲
