Martha Gillespie knows the danger involved with being a senior citizen.

As program administrator for the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services (ACDJFS), Gillespie hands out tissues and advice to local seniors, helping them through tough times and confusing issues. But for all Gillespie’s work, her most heartbreaking cases involve elder abuse.

“Last year we had many cases of elder abuse and it was shocking to me not only that this could happen, but that seniors and the people around them don’t really know much about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation,” Gillespie said.

Gillespie, with the support of ACDJFS, the Ashtabula Senior Levy Advisory Board and the Ashtabula County commissioners, is planning the first Ashtabula County Senior Citizen’s Conference April 18 at Kent State University — Ashtabula campus. The conference will focus on elder abuse prevention with keynote speaker San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood. Greenwood has been featured on CBS and NBC news programs as he brings national attention to the growing problem of elder abuse, Gillespie said.

“Mr. Greenwood is the best of the best in the prevention of elder abuse and neglect. I know he can bring a new light to this huge problem,” she said.

Gillespie said the ACDJFS Adult Protective Services Unit received 318 referrals in 2007 regarding allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of senior citizens. Fifty six referrals were received for persons age 59 and under.

“When I saw these numbers I realized that not only do we have to educate the seniors about protecting themselves, but we also have to educate the people the seniors see every day, the professionals in their lives that can recognize an issue and make that report,” Gillespie said.

The morning portion of the conference will be for area professionals in a class designed to help them identify and report elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“Seniors interact every day with people who can help them,” Gillespie said. “Clergy, bank tellers, beauticians, pharmacists, policemen, fireman, emergency medical technicians, counselors, social workers, home care providers, anyone who works with seniors should be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect.”

The professionals class will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. Cost is $10 and includes a continental breakfast and tote bag. Continuing Education Units through KSU-A will be available for specific industries. For more information contact Lori Lee at (440) 415-1529 or go to www.ashtabula.kent.edu.

The afternoon portion of the conference, from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., is free for seniors and their adult children, with workshops on estate planning with Attorney Nicholas Iarocci, Medicare Part D with Pharmacist Scott Johnson, scams that target senior citizens with Manilath Southammavongmof the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, safety for seniors, adult protective services, community support programs for seniors, Medicaid and more.

Snacks and tote bags will be provided. Transportation to the event can also be arranged, Gillespie said.

A vendor room will be open from noon to 4:30 p.m. to provide seniors access to resources in the community available to them.

“This conference is the first of its kind in Ashtabula County,” Gillespie said. “I hope area professionals and the seniors will support this and be aware of the signs of elder abuse and neglect. This is for all income levels and ages and we have a great group of local experts to help shed some light on this serious problem.”

For more information or to register for the conference call Gillespie at (440) 994-2027.