June 13, 2025 -- Jason Kavulich, state secretary of aging, observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday in Lackawanna County, praising the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging as one of the most effective such agencies statewide in fighting elder abuse.

Kavulich, a former director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, urged county residents to visit the department's website to review data from across the commonwealth and understand how Lackawanna County exceeds expectations and is a leader among Pennsylvania counties. Kavulich said Lackawanna County’s AAA is “one of the finest, if not the finest of the commonwealth."

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day increases awareness of the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older folks in our community, said Sara McDonald, director of the Lackawanna County AAA.

She highlighted the efforts led by her agency and recognized five organizations for spreading awareness about the abuse that elders face.

McDonald announced the new Jack T. Harte Award and presented it to the five agencies, and said the AAA will present it annually. Harte was a teacher in the Scranton School District for over 30 years who taught her the importance of local government and community service, McDonald said.

The five organizations honored are the Wright Center, the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Telespond Senior Services, the Scranton Counseling Center and the Lackawanna Department of Drug and Alcohol.

Together, these organizations raised awareness about older adults in the region who experience abuse, McDonald said. Relying on their areas of expertise, the agencies created innovative ways to defend the livelihoods of neighbors, friends, parents, and grandparents.

First-year students at Geisinger Medical School developed a campaign aimed at educating and engaging older adults about scams.

To further prevent scams, along with other forms of physical and mental abuse, the Wright Center completed competency evaluations and hosted its first agency symposium on aging.

Providing essential services to elders is crucial to maintaining their active roles in our community. Therefore, Telespond has worked on providing shelter, medical assistance, and legal services.

For dealing with complex protective service cases involving older adults, Scranton Counseling Center was recognized for its assistance with the crisis.

The Lackawanna County Department of Drug and Alcohol also was praised for working on case consultations and mitigating the effects of drugs and alcohol on older members of our community.

Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak emphasized the work done by the Area Agency on Aging, along with the five organizations that were recognized, and the importance of not only remaining vigilant but acting on any abuse we observe.

Gaughan urged county residents to "defend the dignity of those who raised us, taught us, and gave us everything."

Chermak stated that the AAA is "a beacon of hope," and reminded citizens of the agency's phone number, 570-963-6707, along with the statewide hotline, 1-800-932-0313, to report suspected elder abuse.