June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Elder abuse is the mistreatment or harming of an older person and can occur in both community and institutional settings. This can include neglect, physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse. We all have the obligation to prevent and address elder abuse.

Here are 5 things everyone can do to prevent elder abuse:

1. Learn the signs of elder abuse.

2. Prevent isolation. Call and visit loved ones and encourage them to strengthen their circles of connection

3. Talk to friends and family members about how we can age well and reduce abuse in our communities by engaging in activities that help us connect, learn, give, and grow as we age.

4. Sign up to be a friendly visitor to an older person in your community.

5. Send a letter to a local paper, radio or TV station suggesting they cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th.

Learning the signs of abuse is key to preventing it.

Here are some things to look for if you’re concerned that someone you know may be experiencing abuse:

• Decisions about the person’s life are not in their best interest.

• Sudden changes in behavior.

• Unusual changes in spending or money management.

• Unexplained physical injuries.

• Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.

• Unhealthy or unsafe living conditions.

Here are some elder abuse facts that everyone should know:

• About 1 in 10 Americans age 60+ have experienced abuse.

• Without decent health care and public resources, our population becomes more at risk for abuse as we age.

• The impact of elder abuse is felt by people of all ages.

• Elder abuse also reduces older people’s participation in the life of our communities.

• Elder abuse creates health care and legal costs that are often carried by public programs like Medicare and Medicaid.