ICSGV Clinic Furnishes Glimpse of Ageing
By Irem Choksy

On Sunday, January 15 th, the Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley Clinic hosted the “Elderly Care and Challenges” Seminar. The seminar highlighted on what elderly abuse is, its recognizable characteristics and possible reasons; the psychological and emotional turmoil for the elderly individual and his/her caregiver, and also explained the CA laws protecting the elderly.

Secretary of the Board, Mr. Ashraf Jakvani, commenced the seminar with introductions, followed by Religious Director, Said Seddouk (Abul Haitum) introducing the topic from a moral/Islamic standpoint. Dr. Imran Shafi and Dr. Anne Reyhan described recognizable patterns of abuse, and its pressures on the caretaker. Irem Choksy, staff at ICSGV and registered California psychotherapist, stressed the issues of neglect, and preventative measures such as the Elderly Protective Services that are applicable for the elderly population.

The California law protecting the elderly, and the consequences of abusing the elderly were presented with real life vignettes, collectively, by Deputy Wadi Musharbash, Deputy Sherif Morsi, and fraud expert, Detective Liliana Becerra from the Los Angeles Sheriff Department.

The seminar ended with a Q&A session followed by thank you certificates handed out by Irem Choksy to the law enforcement representative officers, Dr. Anne Reyhan, Dr. Imran Shafi, and Mr. Said Seddouk.

The seminar was third in the ICSGV Clinic Abuse Series promoting awareness and knowledge to the San Gabriel Valley community; the two prior seminars covered were on domestic violence, and child abuse. The ICSGV Clinic is chaired by Dr. Rizwana Hussain, and offers free services in the medical and psychological areas. ICSGV Clinic is also offering training workshops in the mental health area to interested organizations.

 

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