News Article

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15, 2016

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).   It’s an opportunity to share information and spread awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation in later life.  Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 23 cases go unreported. 

WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. For more information, visit the Administration for Community Living's WEAAD website.

Consumer Voice has put together a new elder abuse issue page.  This page provides fact sheets, brochures, and webinars on several aspects of elder abuse, along with additional resources from other organizations.  Plus, the page highlights residents' thoughts on elder abuse and the importance of raising awareness about the issue.