Smoke signals., June 01, 1988, Page PAGE 9, Image 9

PAGE 9
SOCIAL SERVICES
HONORING OUR WARRIORS
WORKING TO PREVENT
ELDER ABUSE
Abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older people
occur with greater frequency then is generally believed.
Elders of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon are no exception.
The reasons for this mistreatment vary. In some cases,
problems occur out of ignorance. Care providers may
not know how to give the help ailing older people need,
or relatives and friends may become impatient or
frustrated with elders whose physical abilities are
impaired and try to push them to do the things they used
to do. As a result, elders may suffer abuse and neglect
by people who truly care about them.
Another cause of elder abuse andor exploitation may
be greed by either relatives or strangers. Many people
take advantage of more vulnerable members of society
simply because they are an easy target. Consequently,
theft of possessions of worth, often by elders own
relatives, is not uncommon. In addition, some elders
have been threatened into signing over their funds to
family members and other "self-appointed" guardians.
There have been some reports of consumer schemes,
where elders are convinced to purchase items they
clearly do not need. For example, this may involve the
sale of Medigap Insurance policies or of magazine
subscriptions to people who are unable to read.
There have also been reports of elders being admitted to
the local hospital with multiple bruises and abrasions
caused by physical abuse. ,
People concerned about the welfare of vulnerable elders
are often unsure about what they can do. While many
options may exist to help protect the elders, advocates
and elders may lack knowledge about what laws apply
and what resources are available.
Possible situations may include educating care givers,
providing older people with supportive services, having
someone appointed guardian to make decisions on
behalf of an elder, or seeking police intervention.
Exercising these options depends upon the specific facts
of each case and what actions the advocate and the elder
are willing to take.
As with abuse and neglect in children, the tribal social
services staff, are trained to help in cases of elder abuse.
If an older person you know may be a victim of possible
abuse or neglect, please call the Social Service Depart
ment, 879-5211, and report it. Just as children are the
future of the Tribe, our elders with their wisdom are the
guiding lights. Lets make sure they are protected.
CONTRACT HEALTH SERVICES
1-800-422-0232
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Statue at Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C.
VIETNAM VETERAN'S
SUPPORT GROUP
The Social Services Department has received informa
tion on the Inter-Tribal Vietnam Veterans Organization.
If you were a Vietnam Era Veteran, type of discharge
not important, or whether or not you served in the
states. For more information, please call Mary Ring at
879-5211. We would like to get a group started for tribal
members.
HOSPICE SUPPORT CLASS
How do we help to meet not only the physical needs, but
also the spiritual, social and economic needs of termi
nally ill individuals and their families? All to often we
feel awkward - don't know what to say or do. We avoid
the family - stay away at the very time our support and
presence is needed the most.
Grand Ronde Tribal Health and Social Services are
sponsoring a 6 to 8 week Hospice Support Group
training program to help us learn how to deal with our
own feelings about terminal illness, death and dying, so
that we can be comfortable in offering and providing
support to those who need us.
Laura Christianson, from Health Dynamics Visiting ,
Nurses in McMinnville, will be here at the tribal office
on Thursday, June 23, 1988 at 2:00 p.m. to begin our
training.
If you are interested in receiving this training, at no cost
to you, please attend the first class on June 23rd or call
Carol Terp or Mary Ring at 879-5211 for more informa
tion. You need not be a Grand Ronde Tribal member
to participate. ,
mm
Marcus Cook in Nuey Ba Din
This month we would like to honor two warriors. One,
from the past, is a veteran of Vietnam. The second is a
warrior at present, fulfilling a tour of service in th6
United States Navy.
Marcus Cook is the son of Howard and Ivanetta Cook.
Starting his tour in June of 1969, Marc recalls, "I didn't
even get to attend my high school graduation. My draft
number was 59 and I had to report in Portland the day
before graduation."
Stationed with the 269 Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry
Division, as a Cook, Marc feels he had it better than
most guys. "I got along great with the locals. I would
buy laundry soap for them at the PX. They liked Tide."
Two Presidential Citations were awarded to Marc and
his unit for being under enemy fire, at their duty station
in Nuey Ba Din. One of these attacks took place during
the Tet Offensive, a time during the Vietnam Conflict
when the United States experienced large numbers of
casualties.
Marc requested duty in Vietnam four times and was
refused each time because his brother Mike was already
there. When Mike returned, Marc was asked to do duty
In-Country. The last eight months of his tour, Marc
volunteered for Vietnam.
Flying home as part of the first Keystone Drop, ordered
by former President Nixon, Marc remembers the
airplane pilot yelling at us to "sit down and fasten your
seat belts so I can land this plane!" It seems that the
soldiers, soon to be civilians, were "rockin" the plane in
their excitement at being home. Marc processed out of
the army just short of obtaining the rank of sergeant.
Since his discharge, Marc has worked in the timber
industry. He is actively involved with the Pow Wow
committee, and helps with other tribal activities.
Marcus Cook joins the ranks of one of our Tribal
" member warriors from the past.
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