June 15th: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day


The purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes contributing to elder abuse and neglect. WEAAD provides communities around the world the opportunity to gain a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults. Elder abuse is the mistreatment or harming of an older person and is severely underreported.

Here are a few signs of elder abuse:

Emotional & Behavioral Signs

  • Fear or anxiety
  • Sadness
  • Unusual changes in sleep or behavior
  • Isolated from others

Physical Signs

  • Missing daily living aids such as their walker, medications, glasses
  • Poor living conditions
  • Broken bones, welts, bruises
  • Poor nutrition or dehydration

Financial Signs

  • Unpaid bills
  • Fake signatures on documents
  • Unusual changes in a will or other financial documents
  • Unusual changes in money management

It is up to all of us to prevent and address elder abuse. We can all take action by learning the signs of elder abuse and neglect and prevent isolation by calling our older loved ones to check in on them. IFH is dedicated to supporting our community to improve the well-being of all. Check out our community engagement website for more information.

References:

https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home/about/