World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) – June 15, 2017 and EVERYday

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) – June 15, 2017 and EVERYday

June 2017 by Tara R., Medial/Legal Advoate

The United Nations has designated June 15, 2017 as the 12^th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with the theme being “Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.” The issue of Elder Abuse is of international concern due to the increasing size of the older adult population, to the fact that it is among the least investigated types of violence even though 5-10% of senior citizens experience financial exploitation in addition to other types of abuse, and to the lack of reporting whether due to shame and embarrassment or cognitive difficulties. A variety of organizations and agencies around the globe will join in efforts to raise awareness about this global problem. The 3^rd Global Summit on Elder Abuse will take place on WEAAD in Washington, D.C. as well.

What is Elder Abuse?

According to The Elder Justice Roadmap, elder abuse is “abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of an older individual by another person or entity who has a trust-based relationship with the older adult or, any harm that occurs because an older person is targeted by a stranger based on their age or disability” (DOJ, 2013). The World Health Organization (WHO), 2002 offers a similar description as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person". Further, elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, isolation, abandonment, self-neglect, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect. Find additional definitions here. Laws and statues such as the Elder Justice Act, 2010 42 U.S. Code § 1397j, the Older Americans Act, 2016 Public Law 89–73 as Amended Through P.L. 114–144, Enacted April 19, 2016, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), 2014 42 U.S. Code § 13925(a)(11) help define elder abuse and identify ‘elders’ as at least 50 or 60 years of age. Find links to other U.S. State and Territory Statutes here.

How can you identify abuse?

The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) provides over a dozen Red Flags and Warning Signs – Victim OR Abuser of elder abuse. Elder abuse may be identified by an assortment of incidents like repeated ‘accidents,’ physical inuries, comments about ‘walking on eggshells,’ restrictions on being able to talk to or meet with people, missing appointments/meetings/etc., sudden changes in routine/appearance, comments about an older adult being ‘difficult’ or ‘stubborn,’ interference with others being able to see a loved one, expressions of concern from others about an older adult, and so on. The abuse may include a few or many of these acts and occur in a variety of locations such as those listed by Elder Abuse Ontario: older adult’s own home, home of the caregiver, long-term care homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, or hospital. As concerned friends, neighbors, family, etc. we can pay attention to the condition of older adults, how they talk about caregivers and equally important how caregivers talk about senior citizens in their care.

Who do I tell?

If an older adult is in immediate danger and you want law enforcement to respond, call 911. Otherwise, reports of Elder Abuse are typically made to Adult Protective Services (APS), which then responds to reports according to their protocol. Chapter 15 of the Pennsylvania Code outlines Protective Services for Older Adults within the Commonwealth and various aspects of reporting abuse to the proper agencies.

In Pennsylvania, call your local Area Agency on Aging or 1-800-490-8505 to report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. If the abuse involves serious injury, sexual abuse or suspicious death, reporters must also call police and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at 717-265-7887. In addition, the reporter may also call the Pennsylvania Department of Health Nursing Home Complaint Line at 1-800-254-5164. For information on reporting hotlines and other related resources for US States and Territories, go here. To talk to someone confidentially for additional support and information, call Transitions at 1-800-850-7948 or TTY 1-570-523-1712. A trained advocate can speak with you about services, options and safety. If you need to leave, you can also prepare using a checklist like the one offered by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL).

What can I do?

Individuals and groups can do a number of things, whether simple or complex, to help reduce elder abuse around the world. People can take action as simple as wearing PURPLE on JUNE 15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, write an article like this one or a letter to the editor, collaborate with others, help educate oneself further and those around you, raise awareness in your community, join with others to advocate for the rights and protections of older adults, host or sponsor an event, and among the multitude of possible activities you could even read and share survivor stories and videos like these:

“The Day That Changed My Life Forever” by Mary

I Can't Believe I'm Free (Pat)

Lois & Sam's Story

Miss Mary's Story

A Mother Never Gives Up Hope (Anne)