With a growing risk of elder abuse on the rise in the region, the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) are hoping to provide necessary nuggets of information to the public.

Due the necessity of the issue, the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library will host an outreach program on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. inside the facility.

“This ‘for your information’ program is meant to announce and educate the public about our SALT programs that can help save lives,” said Maryann Owen, adult service and outreach librarian.

Having the informative session will be key for the public to know the precautions and safety measures for the elderly and emergency personnel.

“The Salt Council is in the process of training law enforcement, EMT and volunteers and the public to be aware of the programs,” said Owen. “But education of programs are two fold. We need the public to be aware of and use the programs and we need the first responders to be educated of the programs. We need to educate the public that first respondents include not only emergency personnel, but family or neighbors who are on the scene first.”

In a region with a high amount of seniors, Owen said the issue caused her to join the SALT Council.

“I became involved with the SALT Council to get more involved with issues surrounding seniors,” she explained. “As the adult service and outreach librarian, I need to ensure I have a focus on seniors as well as other ages. Also, our seniors are at a high risk in our area with elder abuse on the rise. We have many at-risk living in remote areas, living alone and not part of any community or government services. These are the individuals that are preyed on without anybody noticing.’

Owen added that the SALT Council is open to anyone that has a passion to assist the seniors can join up at anytime. The Council holds their meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Elizabethton Senior Center at 12:30 p.m. The meetings are also open to the public.

Be sure to check out the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library Facebook page for a full list of upcoming events.