“Ratliff - This Friday June 15th is world Elder Abuse Day. It’s been celebrated around the globe for years. This year is special to Ohio because this is the first year it has a special state recognition. The Ohio General Assembly passed a bill earlier this year to designate June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Ohio.

Ingles - And as part of that, you are going to do a first ever event in Ohio, right?

Ratliff - That is correct. This year, we are going to host people all over the state, people who are concerned about our elders and their safety. We are going to host a Facebook chat on the office of the long term care on Ombudsman’s Facebook page.

Ingles - Now when we look at the internet and Facebook, we think of a lot of younger people on Facebook. Why would you host something that involves older folks on Facebook?

Ratliff - One of the things that we are promoting this year is that it only takes one. It only takes one to recognize the signs. It only takes one to speak up on someone’s behalf. It only takes one to report it if they see it. So elder abuse is something that affects everyone, not just the old. It affects their family members and people who work with those elders. So that’s why we are targeting to raise awareness among all age groups that elder abuse can be prevented. Clearly we are targeting folks who are working with and for our elders every day.

Ingles - So how many people do you think will be part of this online chat?

Ratliff - Well, I don’t really know yet. We are trying to get the word out and invite as many people as we can just to spread the word and raise awareness.”

The online chat will begin at 9:30 and end at 3 p.m. on Friday. To be part of it, Facebook members can go through the Ohio Ombudsman’s Facebook page.