Message from SWG’s Executive Director:
Today, June 15, 2020 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). WEAAD was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of elder mistreatment by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic factors that drive and influence elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.This annual day of recognition focuses global society’s attention on the need for all people to take responsibility for preventing and aggressively advocating for elimination of elder abuse in all of its forms. According to the American Society on Aging, each year in the U.S., an estimated 5 million older persons are abused, neglected and exploited. Older adults in America lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that are desperately needed to pay for basics such as housing, food and medical care. And it is estimated that only about one in five of those crimes are ever reported. Certainly as we know, every older adult in each community in the U.S. and around the world has the right to be free of such abuse and treated with respect and dignity.As we continue to address the most seriousissues of racism and police brutality against African-Americans in U.S. Society, along with the great impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis, we all want to do our part to spread the word about this matter of world-wide elder abuse and its vital importance!
Thank you for reading,
Dr. Greg Kotlarz