June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This day provides an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
This year’s WEAAD theme is “Building Strong Support for Elders.” Many different service providers across disciplines have a role in addressing elder abuse and empowering older adults. Civil legal aid providers and elder rights professionals are well-positioned to provide legal help to older adults who have experienced abuse or maltreatment, by providing individual representation to ensure protection, redress, and ongoing stability. NCLER’s Elder Justice Toolkit contains actionable resources for civil legal aid attorneys and advocates to respond to elder abuse, utilizing trauma-informed and culturally competent strategies.
A multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to addressing elder abuse often provides more effective outcomes for older adults who have experienced abuse. These resources provide additional guidance and support for a wide-range of professionals:
- National Center on Elder Abuse
- Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center
- National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation in Long-Term Care Facilities
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging: Elder Abuse Resources
- National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative
- Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement (EAGLE)
- Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative: Multidisciplinary Team Guide & Toolkit
