Video: June Is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
Older Americans are taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. While we celebrate their contributions, it's also necessary to recognize their obstacles, especially when it comes to elder and dependent adult abuse.
Elder and dependent adult abuse can involve neglect, self-neglect, and physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. It affects seniors across all cultures, races, and socioeconomic groups.
It can be hard to imagine that anyone would deliberately want to harm an elderly person, but unfortunately, elder abuse is a widespread problem. Some instances of elder abuse are intended to exploit the person financially; you’ve probably heard of scams targeting seniors. Each year, older adults lose billions of dollars in telemarketing fraud, mail scams, and fake lotto schemes. In other cases, it’s simple negligence: caregivers don’t provide the basic necessities, like nutritious food, appropriate medication, safety, or assistance with hygiene. Help spread the word for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. If you see something, say something.
“Here in California, Adult Protective Services (APS) receives more than 191,000 reports of elder and dependent adult abuse per year, and reports are increasing. It is estimated that only one in 24 cases is reported, and for financial abuse, only one in 44 cases is reported,” notes John Mauro, L.C.S.W., Deputy Director for Adult Services at the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency. “In 2023, there were 2,567 reports made to Tulare County Adult Protective Services, of which 2,084 were regarding elders (60+) and 483 were regarding dependent adults. But together we can make a difference and help take care of those who have taken care of us. Through education, recognition, and reporting, we can improve the lives of elders and dependent adults in our community.”
