World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15th
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) aims is to call attention to one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society – elder abuse. WEAAD is recognized on June 15th. WEAAD was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in 2006.
Elder abuse can be financial, emotional, physical, and/ or sexual exploitation of our senior citizens. This includes people who are neglected and/or exhibit (self-neglect). Often times, isolation from family and friends, financial or emotional stress, and dementia can make a senior extremely vulnerable to maltreatment. The abuse is often times but not limited to being carried out by someone the victim knows and trusts.
Nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 65 years old were injured, exploited or mistreated by someone they depended on for care or protection, according to the National Center for Elder Abuse. Seniors who experience abuse are twice as likely to be hospitalized, four times as likely to go into nursing homes, and three times as likely to die.
Elder abuse is a worldwide social epidemic, affecting the sheer human rights of millions of individuals, with hardly any well-deserved recognition or response from the surrounding community.
Around the world organizations, communities, municipalities and individuals will join in raising the awareness of Elder Abuse. Yesterday, June 14th , 2021 – President of the United States, Joseph Biden signed A Proclamation on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2021
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2021, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all Americans to work for elder justice by building inclusive communities that welcome people of all ages and abilities; by learning the warning signs of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and by challenging age-related biases.”
To learn more about Elder Abuse Awareness please visit World Elder Abuse Awareness – Building Strong Support for Elders
To report Elder Abuse 24 hours a day, call the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873