The toll of elder abuse in the United States is staggering

The toll of elder abuse in the United States is staggering, impacting an estimated 5 million people each year, with a cost estimated at $2.6 billion. Elder abuse is a global problem, and the United Nations estimates 1 to 10% of older adults are victims of elder abuse each year. On June 15th, advocates around the world will call attention to elder justice by observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, the United Nations has sponsored WEAAD, noting that it “represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.” WEAAD is an important opportunity to raise awareness of abuse, offer education and training on recognizing abuse, and let everyone know what to do when they see abuse. You can:  1) Spread awareness through social media Help amplify the growing momentum to combat elder abuse by sharing your elder justice work on social media and include the #WEAAD hashtag when you post. The Administration for Community Living will compile a Storify collage of these words and images at the end of WEAAD. You can also participate in the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Thunderclap and pledge a tweet or Facebook post to lift up a united voice against elder abuse. Sign up now to post a one-time message for action and prevention on June 15th. 2) Get connected in your community Ensure your neighbors, local agencies and partners in your community know about elder abuse and recognize WEAAD. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has created a searchable map of WEAAD events. You can also organize an event in your community, using NCEA’s guide to organizing a WEAAD event. 3) Learn more about elder abuse prevention and advocating for older adults On June 13, an array of experts from the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, the Administration for Community Living, the Social Security Administration and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), will discuss leveraging national resources to build strong supports for older adults. Here is the registration information for the webinar. NCLER’s Legal Training Library offers multiple training sessions on elder abuse, each with accompanying written materials. The library includes topics like the Legal Basics of Elder Abuse and Elder Financial Exploitation, as well as advanced topics like Civil Litigation as a Remedy for Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation and Medicaid Denials. Professionals in law and aging who have questions about elder abuse can receive expert advice through NCLER. Contact us at NCLER@acl.hhs.gov.