June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a special day used to promote awareness about the signs of elder abuse and offer information about stopping it. This important day was inspired by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to bring attention to a serious and growing problem of abuse, neglect and even exploitation of the elderly. Experts estimate that one in ten individuals over the age of 60 is the victim of elder abuse, which equates to roughly 6 million abuse cases each year.
The 10th anniversary of this important day was marked in Washington, D.C., by a Presidential Proclamation, a special White House Conference on Aging and a first-time Global Summit on elder abuse. During his Proclamation, President Obama stated that elder abuse “is a public health crisis that crosses all socioeconomic lines and is an affront to human rights around the world.” Studies show that this is true, with elder abuse taking many forms and often committed by family members.
The White House Conference on Aging, which will took place on July 19, is focused on some of the initiatives taken by the Obama Administration that are related to elder justice including the 2010 passage of the Elder Justice Act. The Elder Justice Coordinating Council, an interagency group which issues recommendations for further legislative and regulatory action, will hold discussions as well as the Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services, an organization which is considered the front line in fighting elder abuse. This special conference has made elder justice one of its four priorities with new administration initiatives surrounding the issues expected to be announced.
At the Global Summit, several speakers will address different aspects of elder abuse including recent research, the role of Adult Protective Services, victim services and needed advocacy for policy changes. There will even be first-hand accounts of elder abuse from relatives of two high-profile victims, Brooke Astor and Huguenot Clark.
How You Can Help
If you have an elderly relative who is being cared for at home or in a nursing home, there is a chance that he or she could be suffering abuse. There are many common signs of elder abuse; however, these signs do not always include physical injury. In some cases, elder abuse can be financial abuse and theft.
If you have an elderly loved one whom you want to protect from elder abuse, be sure to call the team at the Fitzgerald Law Firm for information. We can help you determine if your loved one is being abused and help you stop it. We can also help you seek compensation from the at-fault party for their negligent actions. Give the team at the Fitzgerald Law Firm a call today to ensure your elderly loved one is fully protected.