Elder abuse is becoming a big concern all across the country. Last week local law enforcement spoke out against the issue. According to a report by WHSV 3, the Shenandoah Valley has one of the highest rates of elder abuse in all of Virginia.

Last Monday in Weyers Cave at Blue Ridge Community College, a training program aimed at stopping abuse of seniors was held. Local law enforcement and legal experts were present to discuss finding ways to better prosecute abusers. According to Cpl. Derek Almarode, who started a coalition to prevent crimes against the elderly, it's a cause to which many in the community can find a connection.

"Everyone has a mom, a dad, and grandparents. I'm sure we know someone in our lives older than us that's made an impact," said Almarode. "As a younger generation, we owe it to our elderly to make sure that their community is as safe as the one they raised their children in." Almarode encourages anyone who suspect abuse of an elderly person to call 888-832-3858, which is a 24-hour hot for reporting elder abuse. For more, read the story.

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Robert W. Carter, Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is dedicated to protecting the rights of the victims of nursing home and assisted living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Lynchburg, Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.