World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Leah Androski
ECB Publishing, Inc.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day takes place yearly on June 15. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) started in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) at the United Nations.
The United Nations website defines elder abuse as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an exception of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.” In 2017, a study revealed that one in six people aged 60 years and older have experienced some type of abuse. This means that 141 million reported elderly were abused globally. During the pandemic, elderly abuse is said to have risen. Elder abuse is considered to be a private matter and is often left unaddressed within the family. Elder abuse occurs within developed and undeveloped countries and often is left unreported worldwide. If health care workers and social service sectors are equipped to identify and deal with the abuse, then elderly abuse may occur less often.
There are different kinds of elderly abuse, the most common being psychological abuse. Most of the victims are women with a disability and no family or friends nearby. Abuse mainly happens to the elderly who need help with everyday tasks. Signs that an elderly person is being abused are the following: stops taking part in activities they enjoy, looks messy, has trouble sleeping, loses weight, becomes withdrawn, starts acting agitated, starts acting violent, shows physical signs of punishment, develops bed sores, lacks medical aid, has unsafe living conditions, has unexplained injuries, has an eviction notice for unpaid rent or displays signs of insufficient care.
Some long-term effects of abuse are early death, harm to health, financial loss, weakened social and family ties and much more. Any type of abuse can leave a person depressed, fearful and feeling like the abuse is his or her fault.
Those who care for an elderly person should make sure they have time to take care of themselves as well. If a caregiver needs a break, they might ask a family member or friend to help on weekends. Community and faith-based organizations also may have volunteers who can visit and help provide relief for caregivers.
If you think an older person you know is being abused, talked with them privately and offer your help. The Administration for Community Living has a National Center on Elder Abuse where you can learn about how to report abuse, where to get help, and state laws that deal with abuse and neglect.