World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 – Theme, Quotes and Quiz

“People who don’t cherish their elderly have forgotten whence they came and whither they go.” – Ramsey Clark. Elder abuse is one of the form of exploitation of human rights which is not addressed as much as the other social issues.  Elder abuse is a under-reported issue which is commonly visible both in developed and developing countries.  It is expected that the  number of persons aged 60 and above will grow by 30% from 1 billion to 1.4 billion between 2019 to 2030. This number will outnumber the global youth count. It is important that each one of us understands and identifies the challenges faced by the older people and work their well – being . In this article let us read more about World elder abuse awareness day 2022. The world elder abuse awareness day is on June 15. Article includes the world elder abuse awareness day history, significance, facts, quotes, messages and  activities

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 –  June 15, 2022

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on June 15. World elder abuse awareness day was first officially announced by the United  United Nations General Assembly in the resolution 66/127,  on December 2011. 

The world Elder Abuse Awareness day provides an opportunity for the public to create a better understanding of the abuse older people suffer by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting them. Elder abuse is one of the under-reported issue  and is not addressed  often when compared to other social issues. According to research   4 to 6 percent of the elderly suffer from some kind of abuse. On this day let us focus on the well-being of elders and check on ways to prevent elder abuse.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022: Theme

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Digital Equity for All Ages”. According to recent studies, adult children and other family members are the most common abusers of the elderly, suggesting that violence against the elderly occurs primarily at home. Elder abuse can lead to family stress, both psychological and financial. If young children are exposed to this kind of aggressiveness in their families, it may have a harmful impact on them. According to study, children who are exposed to violence, whether as the intended target or as witnesses, are more likely to develop behavioral disorders and, as a result, become perpetrators of aggressiveness and violence themselves.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder Abuse is a form of violence to which the elders are subjected to. It can be the harm that is imposed on them by a person they already know, or it can be the harm caused by a member whom they have family relationship with such as spouse, children etc. or it can be the violence they are subjected to through outsiders. There are many forms of elder abuse.

Types of Elder Abuse

Few types of abuse our elders are subjected to is categorized int  the following

• Physical: Physically harming the elder which causes physical injury to the elder is termed as physical abuse. It can be of different forms like hitting, punching, slapping, burning, pushing, kicking, restraining, false imprisonment/confinement. Physical abuse also includes giving excessive or improper medication or withholding treatment and medication.
• Psychological/Emotional: Any form of abuse that effects the mental and emotional well being of the elder can be termed as emotional abuse. It can be of different forms like humiliating a person, causing mental trauma through verbal abuse  like yelling, name-calling, ridiculing, constantly criticizing, accusations, blaming. Emotional abuse can also take nonverbal forms such as ignoring, silence, shunning or withdrawing affection.
• Elder financial abuse: Financial abuse is also known as financial exploitation involves the misappropriation of financial resources by family members, caregivers, or strangers. It also includes the use of financial means to control the person.
• Sexual: Sexually harming the elder or causing sexual harassment is termed as sexual abuse. It includes forcing a person to take part in any sexual activity without his or her consent. Sexual abuse also includes forcing them to participate in conversations of a sexual nature against their will.
• Neglect: When the elder is deprived of the basic  necessities then it can be termed as a form of abuse known as neglect. It includes depriving a person of proper medical treatment, food, heat, clothing, comfort, essential medication. Neglect also includes depriving a person of needed services to force certain kinds of actions, financial and otherwise. Neglect can be of two types active and passive neglect.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 Quotes

• “The wiser mind mourns less for what age takes away than what it leaves behind ” -William Wordsworth
• “The old are in a second childhood “- Aristophanes
• “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” – Tia Walker, American blogger
• “Age is only a number. Keep an active life.” – Lailah Gifty Akita, founder of Smart Youth Volunteers Foundation
• Make sure they don’t feel they are burden. Stop elder abuse
• Stop elder abuse; remember, you will also become old soon
• The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young – Oscar Wilde

• It is impossible to correct the elder abuse unless more people know about it. So stop whatever you are doing and raise your voice on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
• Seniors and elderly have been our guiding light for many years so from this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day onwards, it is our time to be their guiding light.
• On the eve of World elder Abuse Awareness Day, it is my request to all the good peoples of this world to become a positive hope for the elderly.
• Touch is a therapy, more effective than any medicines in the world. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let’s hold the hands of our elders, let’s show that we care about them.
• You leave a lasting mark on an elder’s psychology when you physically or emotionally torment him or her. Let us cure their wounds on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Activities 2022

The following are the activities that can be observed as a part of observation of World elder abuse awareness activities

• First and foremost check for the well-being of elders in your family. Check if anything is bothering them physically, mentally or socially. Assure your involvement in helping them throughout their journey whenever requirement. Let them know that you care
• Arrange a meet for the children of the family with the grandparents. Let them speak and play with them. organize a bedtime story by grandparents activity and let the children and grandparents speak and laugh their hearts out
• Organize a greeting card preparation activity in your neighborhood. Distribute these well wishing greeting cards to the elders of your neighborhood  and let them know that they are valued.
• Make it a point to meet elders that day and let them share what is bothering them.
• Conduct interviews with elders of your society. Check for what makes them happy. Check for what makes them unhappy. Do a quick analysis of the survey.
• Create awareness in your society with  respect to the importance of respecting elders and to stop elder abuse.
• Educate the society on how to identify if an elder is getting abused.
• Educate the elders of the society on how to report if they feel they are getting abused.
• Poster-making competitions can be organized. These posters can be utilized to create awareness in the organizations and community
• visit an old age home. Speak to the elders there. Conduct happy activities for them. Make sure they are happy at the end of the day
• Instill in children and youth the importance of respecting the elders. Let them know that it is important to take care of the elders who once looked after them when young.
• Wear purple and support the cause for the welfare of the elders
• Organize a walk to create awareness on elder abuse day.
• Include presentations, webinars, and others ways to educate society on elder abuse.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022; Quiz

1) Spouses commit the most elder abuse later in life? TRUE or FALSE?
Answer: False. 47% of abusers in the National Incidence Study on Elder Abuse were adult children. Spouses account for only 19% of abusers.
2) One sign that could indicate sexual abuse is when an elder is made to look at pornography
Answer: Yes. It’s a form of sexual abuse. An elder does not need to be touched inappropriately to be sexually abused.
3) If you suspect elder abuse, what do you need to do first?
Answer: Report elder abuse. The reporter’s identity is kept confidential.
4) Does the majority of elder abuse occur with non-family members who are caregivers?
Answer: False. According to the orange country adult protective services in 2015, the majority of abusers were identified as family members.
5) 5) Is physical abuse the most common kind of elder abuse?
Answer: No. According to the APS, Orange Country, CA, 2015, the most common abuse is financial abuse, followed by neglect.
6) Is abduction a form of elder abuse?
Answer: Yes. Abduction occurs when a senior is taken over state lines without their consent.
7) When a family member compels an elderly person to amend their will, it’s an indication of financial exploitation.
Answer: True. If an elder is not making financial decisions freely then this would be considered financial exploitation.
8) Is the prevalence of elder abuse low?
Answer: No, Every year, an estimated 500,000 adults aged 60 and over are abused or neglected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
9) Spouses commit the most elder abuse later in life? TRUE or FALSE?
Answer: False. 47% of abusers in the National Incidence Study on Elder Abuse were adult children. Spouses account for only 19% of abusers.
10) Do elders who have been abused have fewer or similar medical concerns than those who have not been molested?
Answer: Elder abuse victims experience more healthcare issues than others, such as joint or bone pains, digestive issues, depression or anxiety, and so on.