June 15 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Published on June 23, 2015
Respect is ageless, but sometimes people forget that.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). The day brings greater recognition of mistreatment of older adults wherever they live throughout the world, and highlights the need for appropriate action. It is intended to give abuse and neglect of older adults a global relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the year and for years to come.
For more information about the history of WEAAD visit www.inpea.net/weaad.html.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are resources and supports to help prevent and address the abuse and neglect of older adults. The Adult Protection Act became law in 2014. The Act protects adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect, and who do not understand or appreciate that risk. For more information visit http://www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/apa/index.html.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NLNPEA) is made up of community and government partners to prevent elder abuse. For more information visit http://www.nlnpea.ca/.
Respect for older adults is also promoted and encouraged through government’s Respect Aging and “Violence Against Older Persons campaigns. For more information visit http://www.gov.nl.ca/VPI/socialmarketing/index.html#violenceagainstolder and http://www.gov.nl.ca/VPI/index.html.
As part of Seniors Month, the Department of Senior, Wellness and Social Development has been sending Twitter messages about agelessness. Find below the messages and images we shared during the week :
Age-Friendly Transportation Pilot Project is in its third year of operation. #SeniorsMonth http://t.co/cp17ofJcK1 pic.twitter.com/rUGUsLKhIP— SWSD (@SWSD_GovNL) 12 Juin 2015
Socializing is ageless. Seniors who socialize have less memory loss. Introduce yourself to someone new. #SeniorsMonth pic.twitter.com/8zilLF0os6— SWSD (@SWSD_GovNL) 12 Juin 2015
We all have a part to play in recognizing and preventing abuse. As Tommy Douglas, creator of Medicare once said, “Courage, my friends; ‘tis not too late to build a better world.”
