The Nelson and Area Elder Abuse Prevention Program and the Nelson Community Response Network have announced the sixth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, June 15. This is an opportunity to show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing something purple on this day.
Communities and municipalities, including Nelson, will make proclamations declaring June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and hold events designed to raise their communities’ awareness of elder abuse.
The day is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Governments, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, religious groups, professionals in the field of aging, interested individuals as well as older persons themselves will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by organizing activities around the world to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
Around the Kootenays there will be information tables, educational sessions,open houses and luncheons with speakers.
In British Columbia and throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. It is estimated that at least one in six seniors in B.C. has been abused or neglected, with financial abuse being the most prevalent. Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis. Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day are vital for informing people in a growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.
On June 15 the Nelson and Area Elder Abuse Prevention Program Volunteers and the Community Response Network are hosting a variety of events in celebration of the first anniversary of the Elder Abuse Prevention Resource Centre at 719 Vernon Street in Nelson.
Come and join the Volunteers of your communities to provide support, learn more about what you can do, and help to prevent elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect.