MILFORD, PA — Lana Romeo of the Pike County Area Agency on Aging addressed the June 15 Pike County Commissioners meeting and spoke of a then upcoming June 21 program in recognition of the third annual Pike County Elder Justice Day.

She reported that there were 120 elder abuse cases in Pike last year.

According to the National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA), “No one knows precisely how many older Americans are being abused, neglected, or exploited. While evidence accumulated to date suggests that many thousands have been harmed, there are no official national statistics. There are several reasons: Definitions of elder abuse vary. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what actions or inactions constitute abuse, and the problem remains greatly hidden.

“State statistics vary widely as there is no uniform reporting system.

“Comprehensive national data are not collected. In the absence of a large-scale, nationwide tracking system, studies of prevalence and incidence conducted over the past few years by independent investigators have been crucial in helping us to understand the magnitude of the problem.”

For more information call the Pike County Area Agency on Aging at 570/775-5550 or toll free at 800/233-8911, or visit the NCEA online at www.ncea.aoa.gov.

In other business last week the commissioners announced a June 24 groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited construction of the county courthouse addition.