06/05/2026
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Yet every year, it passes with far less attention than it deserves.
Elder abuse isn't just bruises or neglect. It can look like financial exploitation, manipulation, isolation, intimidation, overmedication, abandonment, or taking away someone's right to make choices about their own life.
And one of the biggest contributors?
Ageism.
Ageism teaches us that older adults are less valuable, less capable, less deserving of respect, and somehow less worthy of being heard. When we stop seeing the person and only see their age, mistreatment becomes easier to ignore.
The truth is that older adults deserve the same dignity, autonomy, respect, and protection as anyone else.
As our population ages, this is not someone else's issue. It affects our parents, grandparents, spouses, neighbors, friends, and one day, it may affect us.
Another reality we don't talk about enough is funding.
Despite the growing number of older adults in our communities, programs dedicated to preventing elder abuse, supporting victims, educating caregivers, investigating allegations, and protecting vulnerable seniors remain significantly underfunded.
Awareness is important, but awareness alone is not enough.
We need resources, advocacy, and financial investment to ensure older adults receive the protection and support they deserve.
This June 15, take a moment to learn the signs of elder abuse, speak up when something doesn't feel right, challenge ageist attitudes whenever you hear them, and support organizations working to protect older adults.
Our elders spent a lifetime building the communities we enjoy today. They deserve more than gratitude. They deserve safety, dignity, respect, and protection.
A society is often judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Let's make sure our elders are seen, heard, valued, respected, protected and that the programs serving them receive the funding they need to continue this vital work.
"Growing older is a privilege. Being treated with dignity should be a guarantee."