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Public Awareness

 

Here are some fantastic free resources for spreading awareness of the ever-growing problem of elder abuse. This is not a comprehensive list, and we are always looking for innovative groups that have taken a stand against elder abuse. Please send your suggestions to centeronelderabuse@uci.edu

 

Featured Elder Abuse Awareness Images »

 

 

 

Imagine a World Without Elder Abuse

The "Imagine a World" poster by the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect is available for downloading and printing in three different sizes:

 

"Make a Difference with your heart, voice, hand, and mind" is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day theme of the Ageless Alliance.  The artwork is available for you to use for your WEAAD activities:

Four silhouettes with script reading heart, voice, hand, mind. Large text reads Make a difference: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Sample Public Service Announcements »

Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse

Visit www.AgelessAlliance.org for a 30-second, 60-second, or 3-minute Public Service Announcement about the magnitude of the problem and a grassroots social justice movement inviting people to join United Against Elder Abuse.

From Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

http://www.eapon.ca/

National Crime Prevention Council - Senior Fraud Campaign

Fast Facts & Statistics »

Elder Abuse and Its Impact: What You Must Know (PDF)

ONE in TEN Americans age 60+ experiences abuse each year, and many experience it in multiple forms.

  • Acierno R, Hernandez MA, Amstadter AB, Resnick HS, Steve K, Muzzy W, et al. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse and potential neglect in the United States: The national elder mistreatment study. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 292-297. http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.163089
  • Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University. & New York City Department for the Aging. (2011) Under the Radar: New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study. New York: Author.

Nearly ONE in TWO people with dementia experiences some form of abuse by others.

Elder abuse is underreported.

The New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study found that for every elder abuse case known to programs and agencies, 23.5 were unknown.  In the same study, they examined different types of abuse and found for each case of financial exploitation that reached authorities, 44 cases went unreported.  The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities.

Elder abuse costs our nation billions of dollars each year.

The annual financial loss by victims of elder financial exploitation were estimated to be $2.9 billion in 2009, a 12% increase from 2008.

Older adults who experience elder mistreatment or self-neglect face a greater risk of being hospitalized than other seniors. 

Elders who had experienced psychological abuse, physical abuse, caregiver  neglect and/or financial exploitation were twice as likely as non-abused elders to be hospitalized.  Older adults who reportedly self-neglected were 1.5 times as likely to be hospitalized as other seniors.

Survivors of elder mistreatment suffer significantly higher levels of psychological distress than nonvictims. Social support showed a beneficial effect on survivors' psychological distress.

Elders who experience mistreatment and self-neglect face a greater risk of dying sooner.

  • Lachs MS, Williams CS, O'Brien S, Pillemer KA, Charlson ME. (1998). The mortality of elder mistreatment. Journal of the American Medical Association; 280(5): 428-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.280.5.428

More than 41 million Americans are 65 or older, and elders comprise a growing proportion of the U.S. population.

 

For additional information:

National Public Awareness Campaigns »

NATIONAL - UNITED STATES

Campaigns from States and Provinces »

STATE/PROVINCE

International Public Awareness Campaigns »

INTERNATIONAL

  •  Community Elder Abuse Awareness Tool Kit, funded by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Teen Elder Abuse Awareness Kit funded by the Public Health Agency Canada (PHAC) released for WEAAD 2010 are available on the International Federation on Aging website. 
  • International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) Community Resource Tool Kit
  • Elder Abuse Advocacy Toolkit Action on Elder Abuse, United Kingdom and Ireland
Fraud and Consumer Protection Awareness Campaigns »

FRAUD AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Ageless Alliance Elder Abuse Prevention Commitments