NCEA Invites You to
“Join Us in the Fight Against Elder Abuse”
In the spring of 2009, NCEA launched the “Join Us in the Fight Against Elder Abuse” campaign - the first national initiative to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.. A cornerstone of the campaign was the NCEA Elder Abuse Information Piece, a 15-second elder abuse video featuring actor William Mapother that ran before movie trailers in theaters throughout many U.S. major metropolitan areas. This was the first time that one unified message regarding elder mistreatment was echoed throughout the country. (Click
here to view a listing of the movie theaters showing the NCEA Elder Abuse Information Piece.) The campaign launch coincided with the 4th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which was observed on June 15th in communities around the globe. But World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is not the only opportunity to focus public attention on this devastating but overshadowed issue.
Throughout the calendar year there are many opportunities to “join us” in honoring older individuals and raising awareness of elder abuse, such as:
Holidays
- New Year’s Day – January
- Valentine’s Day – February
- Mother’s Day – May
- Memorial Day – May
- Father’s Day – June
- Grandparents’ Day – September
- International Day of Older Persons - October
- Veteran’s Day – November
- Thanksgiving – November
- Various additional holidays
National Observances
- National Stalking Awareness Month - January
- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – April
- National Sexual Violence Awareness Month – April
- Older Americans Month – May
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month – October
- National Family Caregivers Month – November
- National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month - November
NCEA urges individuals, families, community groups, organizations, and businesses to take these and everyday opportunities to participate in elder abuse awareness and prevention efforts. There are many ways to become involved, from visiting an older neighbor who lives alone, to volunteering for a program that benefits seniors (such as Meals on Wheels), to organizing a fundraiser to support the development of an elder shelter.
To support this effort, NCEA created the following tools to help you, your family, or your organization make a difference in the lives of vulnerable elders. In addition, please browse our Publications Section for more reports, fact sheets, and information.
Tip Sheets for Involvement and Prevention:
Fact Sheets:
National Elder Abuse Awareness Public Service Announcement Series:
To view the National Elder Abuse Awareness Public Service Announcement Series, visit the “Latest Downloads” box of the NCEA home page.
The NCEA would like to thank the State of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for co-producing the Elder Abuse Awareness PSA series, which was executively produced by Kimberly Baker, formerly of the Cabinet, and filmed and edited by Bruce Johnson and his production team at Eastern Kentucky University. NCEA would also like to thank Mr. Mapother for his generous and invaluable contribution to this effort.
Share Your Ideas:
Would you like to share an idea to help raise awareness about elder abuse? Email your suggestions to the NCEA.
Share Your Stories:
Would you like to share your story? WITNESS and the National Council on Aging are working together to empower elders who have experienced abuse to share their stories using video. For more information or to participate, visit the WITNESS web site.
Together, we have the power to prevent elder abuse.
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