World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Every year on June 15, communities around the world come together to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This important observance shines a light on the physical, emotional, financial, and social mistreatment experienced by older adults — a problem far more common than many people realize.

Elder abuse affects millions of older Americans each year. Older adults throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually to financial abuse and exploitation alone. Behind every statistic is a real person — a neighbor, a parent, a grandparent — who deserves safety, dignity, and respect at every stage of life.

Preventing elder abuse is not the responsibility of any one family or individual. It takes an entire community working together — building strong support systems, educating caregivers and practitioners, and speaking up when something doesn’t seem right. WEAAD is a call to action for all of us to do our part.

This June, we invite you to join us in raising awareness, honoring survivors, and committing to a community where every older adult is valued and protected. Wear a purple ribbon, share the word with your network, and learn how you can help prevent elder abuse in our community.

For more information, visit: http://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home | #WEAAD