World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15th

On Saturday, the Dunwoody Police will join communities across the globe in observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

 

The event recognizes the significance of elder abuse as an issue of public health and human rights.

 

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected and exploited each year.

In addition, elders throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation — money that could have been used to pay for basic needs such as housing, food and medical care.

Only about one in five of those crimes is ever discovered, according to federal officials.

 

According to the American Journal of Public Health in 2010, approximately 10% of elderly involved in the study experienced abuse in the prior year.

 

If you know someone that you suspect is a victim of Elder Abuse, please contact the police immediately.