Over the next few weeks I am going to focus on scams targeting our nation’s seniors. Please check back every Friday for a new blog.
“After a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice, every American should be able to enjoy their golden years with dignity and security.” – Presidential Proclamation 2013
Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans are reportedly victims of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation in the United States alone; and this is a worldwide problem. But that’s really only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation that is reported, as many as 23 cases are not. This has to stop.
This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I won’t go into details here, but let’s suffice to say I have seen, first hand, the devastation people can inflict on our seniors. And for that reason, I want to draw attention to a very important initiative, and challenge anyone who reads my blogs to take a step, any small step, to make a huge difference in the lives of our seniors.
The Initiative
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to “provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.”
Research has shown that elderly abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation are the biggest issues facing senior citizens around the world today.
The Challenge
Many times, authorities find that the senior who was abused, neglected or exploited resulted from cases of isolation, loneliness or loss (like recently losing a loved one). Smaller communities often rally around such circumstances to do what they can to help ease pain and loneliness of seniors in their community, but many of our seniors remain vulnerable.
Please try to imagine yourself in a position of utter isolation or losing everyone in your family, and then imagine a complete stranger befriending you. But soon they start asking for money or propose a get rich quick scheme. It’s that quick, that easy for the lowest of the low to prey on our seniors. Everyone has a story. Please, take time to friend someone and hear theirs. That small kind act could save them from a life of loss and pain.
If you want to know more about WEAAD and what you can do to help, go to:
ACL 2014 World Day Tool Kit materials
I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Take care.