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Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a time to recognize a global social issue that affects the health and human rights of millions of elderly people around the world.
WEAAD was launched in 2006, and communities around the world use this day to raise the visibility of elder abuse, by sharing information about abuse and neglect, and promoting the resources and services that increase seniors’ safety and well-being.
According to the United Nations:
- Around 1 in 6 older people experienced some form of abuse in the past year.
- Rates of abuse may be higher for older people living in institutions than in the community.
- Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.
- Elder abuse is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations.
- The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050.
For more information, see the Elder Abuse Ontario website here.
If you suspect an elderly loved one may be the victim of elder abuse, contact our Elder Law team.
