World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Each year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated on June 15^th to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons.

First launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, WEAAD was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011.  

West Virginia Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WVEAAD) began in 2010. Each year state, federal, and community partners come together to bring awareness of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation to the public. WVEAAD partners also conduct educational opportunities for a broad range of professionals – to create greater awareness of information and resources to combat elder abuse across the state. This year’s professional seminar featured speakers from the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, the WV Bureau of Senior Services, AARP West Virginia, the National Adult Protective Services Association, the FBI and Disability Rights of West Virginia.
 
More information about WVEAAD can be found here: https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Services/Pages/Elder-Abuse-Awareness-Day.aspx
 
Elder abuse can be financial, emotional, physical, and/or sexual. There are grave consequences of elder abuse - older adults who suffer abuse are twice as likely to be hospitalized, four times as likely to go into nursing homes, and three times as likely to die. Although abusers are often family members, abuse can happen in any setting…by anyone.

To make a report of abuse, neglect or exploitation, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-352-6513. You can find more information about West Virginia Adult Protective Services (APS) on their website https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Services/Pages/Adult-Protective-Services.aspx.
You can find national resources on the issue at the website of the National Center on Elder Abuse, which is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA). You can also call the AoA’s Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.