Recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with Action

Each year, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. In addition, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could have been used to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, and medical care.

Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you. Yet it is estimated that only about one in five of those crimes are ever discovered.

Once a year on June 15, communities and municipalities around the world plan activities and programs to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). It’s an opportunity to share information and spread awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation in later life. However, raising awareness of mistreatment of older persons is an ongoing effort, not limited to one day.

Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder. Elder abuse takes many forms, including:

• Neglect
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse and exploitation
• Emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats)
• Abandonment
• Self-neglect

What Can People Do to Prevent Elder Abuse?

Report suspected mistreatment to your local adult protective services agency or law enforcement. Although a situation may have already been investigated, if you believe circumstances are getting worse, continue to speak out.

Help raise awareness by:

• Talking about the issue
• Challenging injustice and ageiststereotypes
• Writing letters to the editor

Be a friend:

• Keep in contact and talk with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives frequently
• Be aware and alert for the possibility of abuse
• Look around and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances
• Ask questions and listen

If you believe that an elder is in a life-threatening situation, contact 911 or the local police or sheriff’s department.

To learn more, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.ncea.aoa.gov.