Protecting Our Elders: Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse

Protecting Our Elders: Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse

Did you know that 1 in 10 older adults experiences some form of elder abuse, yet only a fraction of these cases are ever reported? Observed worldwide on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, supported by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), aims to protect seniors from harm and neglect.

Overview
Elder abuse can take many forms—physical, emotional, financial, or neglect—but it has one devastating result: it robs seniors of dignity and safety. Social isolation and dependency on caregivers often put older adults at risk, requiring communities to step in and advocate for prevention and accountability.

3 Facts
1. Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, causing seniors to lose billions annually.
2. Social isolation increases an elder’s risk for abuse; connectedness is one of the best preventative measures (ncea.acl.gov).
3. For every reported case of elder abuse, it’s estimated that 24 cases go unreported.

3 Things To Do
1. Check in regularly with older family members or neighbors, particularly those who live alone.
2. Report suspected abuse to authorities or Adult Protective Services (APS) immediately.
3. Share educational resources about elder abuse with your community.

3 Resources
1. NCEA – National resources for elder abuse education and prevention.
2. Adult Protective Services (APS) – Reporting and intervention services.
3. WHO – Elder Abuse – Global insights and prevention strategies.