World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons.
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Ombudsman McCracken at WEAAD presentation at
Kennedy Health Systems in Stratford, NJ on June 10th.
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Unfortunately, no one is immune to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you. Yet it is estimated that only about one in five of those crimes is ever discovered.
Raising awareness of mistreatment of older persons is an ongoing effort, not limited to one day. OOIE encourages you to get involved to help protect vulnerable senior citizens living in nursing home by becoming a volunteer advocate.
Becoming a volunteer advocate is one way to combat elder abuse and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of elderly residents living in a nursing home. Volunteer advocates receive 32 hours of training and are asked to spend four hours a week at a local nursing home, listening to residents’ concerns and advocating on their behalf. To become a volunteer, call the OOIE Volunteer Advocate Program at 609-826-5053.
As Ombudsman McCracken always says, “The need is clearly there — will you answer the call? “
There's senior bullying and then there's elder abuse.. issues that actually exist and should not be ignored.
ReplyDeleteHope that everyone will answer the call, especially those who are working in long term care industry.
Nursing facilities should be very conscious to these issues because they are designed and responsible to take care of individuals who demand a different kind of care, other than the kind that can be given to them if they stay at home (source: www.completelongtermcare.com/facilities). They should have protocols on how to take action whenever this problem arise.
Let's all support the movement to protect our senior residents.