Press release from Buncombe County Government:
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), 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.
Buncombe County is commemorating the day with the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk on June 15 at Carrier Park in Asheville from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to people of all ages. There will be a short walk, live music from Knotty G’s, desserts available to purchase from Howdy Homemade Ice Cream and Small Cakes, and face painting for kids.
There will also be information about elder abuse, its impacts on our community, and information from local agencies that offer action and support to stop elder abuse. “People should come to the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk as it provides a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons in our community and to meet the community partners who combat this concern on a daily basis,” said Laurie Dotson, a Social Work Supervisor with Buncombe County Aging and Adult Services. “We are all growing older by the second and we want people to come and increase their awareness, learn how they can get involved, the services that are available to help and support elder adults and their caregivers (when needed) and to enjoy this multigenerational event at Carrier Park complete with good eats, sweets, and live music.”
Hosts of the event include Buncombe County Health and Human Services, specifically the Elder Justice Coalition, and several agencies, such as Land of Sky Regional Council, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union, and Van Winkle Law Firm.
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the first (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006, to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. WEAAD serves as a call to action for our communities to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffirm our country’s commitment to the principle of justice for all.
Older people are more likely to experience social isolation, which increases the likelihood of abuse and neglect. WEAAD encourages us to design stronger societal supports to keep our older people connected and protect them from abuse, whether financial, emotional, physical, or sexual. When we address a root cause, like social isolation, we also make it less likely that people will become neglected.
We can create healthier and safer living environments for older adults, including their homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
Join Buncombe County and partners in raising awareness on June 15.
For more information on WEAAD, visit ncea.acl.gov/WEAAD.aspx.
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