World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) aims to raise awareness of the mistreatment of older adults. Elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and neglect. This often results in not only a significant loss of dignity and respect, but also severe physical and psychological consequences. The purpose of WEAAD is to highlight the need for prevention and intervention efforts and promote a supportive community that safeguards the rights and wellbeing of our older generations.
Established by the United Nations in 2006, WEAAD is observed to recognize the prevalence of elder abuse. In America, statistics show that approximately 10% of older adults have experienced some form of abuse. Only 1 in 14 cases are reported to authorities.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated through educational events, conferences, workshops, media campaigns, and social media discussions to create a broader understanding of the issue. Partnerships between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members emphasize the importance of reporting cases of elder abuse and promote the resources available to those affected. WEAAD is observed annually on June 15th in a unified effort to create a more inclusive and supportive society for older adults, free from abuse and mistreatment.
Facts about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that 1 in 6 older adults worldwide experienced some form of elder abuse in the past year.
Women tend to be more at risk of elder abuse than men. This is due to factors such as longer life expectancy, higher likelihood of living alone, and a higher prevalence of widowhood among older women.
It is estimated that only about 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported to authorities. Factors that contribute to underreporting include fear, shame, dependence on the abuser, cognitive impairments, and lack of awareness or accessible reporting mechanisms.
According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience some form of abuse, while one in 24 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.
According to the 2022 U.S. Census, there are more than 56 million adults ages 65 and older. By 2030, the older adult population is expected to pass 73 million.
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