June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 is the fifth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The event is organized by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The day will feature events around the country and the world designed to educate about elder abuse.
The core message of this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is "Never ignore elder abuse." The IPNEA says most elder abuse is hidden and caused by ageism and is working to expose abuse and fight ageism.
The IPNEA said the following in annoucing this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:
Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis. Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) are vital for informing people in a growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.
According to the IPNEA, 4% to 6% of all elderly people have experienced some form of abuse in the home. This percentage is much higher for elderly people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as 36% of nursing home staff say they have witnessed physical abuse in the last year, 10% admit to committing physical abuse themselves, and 40% say they have psychologically abused residents.
For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and elder abuse in general, please visit the following resources:
- INPEA
- National Center on Elder Abuse
- National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
- Administration on Aging
If you believe a loved one has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation while in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.
