Area Agency on Aging

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15

How we can generate awareness and foster action to end elder abuse – one person at a time.

Every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10, 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 23.5 cases go unreported.

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. Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.  What can one person do to stop injustice, to end harm against the millions of elders being abused every year in the United States? What can one person do to end elder abuse across the world? One person can take one action. Use your voice to raise awareness about elder abuse.  Everyone can act to protect seniors. Please contact the Senior Information Line at 1.800.211.2116 for more information.