Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council

The Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council

The Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council hosted the second annual “Bark in The Park” non-traditional Dog Show, on October 20, 2007. Over 50 dogs and their owners attended the event along with approximately 150 spectators. Money raised at the event will be used to continue public awareness and education on the topic of Elder Abuse in the Pennyrile Region.

First, Second and Third prizes were awarded for all categories, and each entrant received a certificate of participation.

The sponsors and participating businesses included: WKDZ/WHVO Radio, The Pet Lodge, K-9 Kuts, Skyline Animal Clinic, Skyline Pampered Pets, Trigg County Veterinary Clinic, Pennyrile Homes, Wal-Mart, The Red Cross, The Christian County Animal Shelter, The Christian County Humane Society, and the Hopkinsville Fire Department and Sparky.

The Council would like to thank everyone that came out to enjoy the day with us and a special thanks to our sponsors.

History of the Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council

On May 26, 2004 the first meeting of the Christian County Elder Abuse Council was held. A small group of community service providers met and discussed ideas to aid in the prevention of abuse to the community elderly.

In April of 2005, the Christian County Elder Abuse Council became the Tri-County Elder Abuse Council incorporating Todd and Trigg Counties into the Council

A library of resources on the prevention of Elder abuse was started in October of 2005. The resources included trained personnel to present trainings on the prevention of Elder Abuse to first responders and area agencies that deal with the elderly. Training for local firefighters, EMS personnel, police departments, area nursing facilities, civic organizations and Senior Citizen Centers began. These trainings continue to be offered throughout the entire Pennyrile Region of Kentucky.

March of 2006, saw Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties become a branch of the Elder Abuse Council. These two counties, because of logistics, did not join the Tri-County branch.

On January 31, 2007 the final four counties of the Pennyrile Region of Kentucky (Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon counties) banded together and became the Quad-County Elder Abuse Chapter.

The Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council has become a non-profit organization in 2007. The Board of Directors was seated at a meeting on February 14, 2007. Each of the nine counties in the Pennyrile region has a representative on the Board. There are three chapters under the Council.

The chapters include: Tri-County Chapter which includes Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties, the Hopkins-Muhlenberg Chapter, and finally, the Quad-County Chapter that includes Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon Counties.

Each Chapter of the Council includes representation from CHFS, Long-Term Ombudsman, Senior Citizens Centers, Fire Departments, Local Police Departments, State Police, District Attorney’s offices, County Attorney’s offices, area hospitals, Personal Care Homes, Nursing Homes and concerned citizens.

Throughout the year, the Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council continues to spread the word about protecting America’s vulnerable aging population. This is accomplished through pamphlet distribution and by conducting trainings for civic organizations, fire departments, police departments, long-term care facilities, service organizations, or one person at a time.
Because, Abuse hurts at any age!