June 15, 2017 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is the mistreatment of a vulnerable senior citizen that results in injury, harm or wrongful death. This can include physical abuse, caretaker neglect, sexual abuse, financial exploitation or psychological abuse.
U.N. Declares June 15th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The United Nations formally declared June 15, 2017 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in an effort to combat the increasing number of worldwide elder abuse and neglect incidents. Global populations are living much longer than prior generations. For this reason, the UN recognized that this vulnerable population must be protected from negligent nursing homes, abusive caretakers, financial exploitation and sexual abuse.
Five Ways You Can Stop Elder Abuse
- Randomly check in on elderly loved ones in their nursing home or assisted living facility. Unannounced visits will keep nurses and caretakers on their toes.
- Monitor your family member’s bank statements to ensure there is no financial exploitation.
- Recognize the signs of elder neglect in long term care facilities. These include unexplained bruises and fractures, bedsores, weight loss and social withdrawal.
- If you suspect it, report elder abuse by calling the appropriate state agency or Ombudsman.
- Spread awareness by promoting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) through social media using the hashtags #WEAAD, #SDGs and #GlobalGoals.
Senior Justice Law Firm Cares
The lawyers at Senior Justice Law Firm specialize in elder abuse cases. We have helped countless families pick up the pieces following a preventable injury or death. In holding negligent caretakers accountable, our lawyers strive to end the cycle of elder abuse. Through the civil justice system and protective legislation, we can greatly reduce instances of elder abuse, nursing home neglect and senior citizen exploitation.
Elder Abuse is a Growing International Problem
The United Nations Division of Social Policy and Development for the Aging unfortunately found that by 2030, elder abuse and neglect will impact more than 20% of the world’s senior citizen population. The agency report of worldwide elder abuse found the following:
Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically underreported globally. Prevalence rates exist only in selected developed countries — ranging from 1% to 10%. Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious. As such, it demands a global multifaceted response, one which focuses on protecting the rights of older persons.
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From a social perspective, unless both primary health care and social service sectors are well equipped to identify and deal with the problem, elder abuse will continue to be underdiagnosed and overlooked.
