World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2017 — Financial Abuse

The theme of the 2017 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) to be observed at the United Nations Headquarters on June 15th is “Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.” 

Financial exploitation of the elderly is a common and serious problem, experienced by an estimated 5 to 10 per cent of seniors globally. It is a crime that, for a variety of reasons, often goes unreported. Cognitive and other impairments often limit the ability that older victims have to identify and report financial abuses perpetrated against them. In addition, the perpetrators are often close family members and trusted caregivers, adding an element of shame and embarrassment to an already painful situation. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day throws a bright public light on this unfortunate situation, and provides an opportunity for the whole world to voice its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted upon far too many of our senior citizens.

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