June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Messa & Associates is happy to bring awareness to this unfortunately pervasive issue.
History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, or WEAAD, was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization. WEAAD aims to bring awareness to the many abuses suffered by our world’s aging population in an effort to push community, industry, and political leaders towards building action plans that can bring an eventual end to these harmful and abusive practices. In 2006, the UN International Plan of Action referenced elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. It’s anticipated that by 2030, we will have a global elderly population of 1.4 billion. This day is meant to bring focus back to our elders and the responsibility we share in providing them lives of quality and dignity and their final years.
How to Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Because we likely all know an elderly person, there are many simple ways to observe this day like treating an aging grandparent, family member, or friend to a day out, a special meal, or some kind of pampering. It’s also important, though, to observe this day more practically by learning how to identify and/or prevent abuse.
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF ABUSE
- Bedsores
- Bruises
- Sudden weight loss (perhaps including malnutrition and/or dehydration
- Poor hygiene
- Unexpected financial issues
- Depressions, anxiety, or other emotional issues
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
If you see signs of abuse, document them with notes, videos, and/or photographs. Obtain statements from victims and witnesses and record all suspicious behavior. Address these concerns with the manager of the long-term care facility or home care provider. If proper actions aren’t taken, you should contact the police or an elder abuse or nursing home abuse attorney.
SPREAD THE WORD
There’s no better way to foster awareness of this issue than social media. Post personal testimony, informative articles, preventative measures, etc with the hashtag #WEAAD in order to educate your friends family and promote the compassionate, ethical care of our elderly loved ones.
Messa & Associate Fight Elder Abuse
Attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced in fighting the large organizations that own and operate nursing homes and long-term care facilities which often perpetuate elder abuses. If your loved one is a resident in long-term care and has suffered from bed sores, falls, malnutrition, or other forms of neglect, you should contact an attorney at Messa & Associates right away. We can help establish that the organization responsible for your loved one’s health deviated from the standard of care, resulting in pain and suffering.
Our office has secured a number of elder/nursing home abuse settlements on behalf of injured victims, including $620,000 for a 78 year-old woman who became very ill after developing two bed sores, and a confidential six-figure settlement for the family of an 89-year-old man who died as the result of a bed sore infection that resulted in sepsis.
Contact an attorney by calling our office, toll-free, at 877-637-7252 for a free consultation. You can also submit your case information online for a free case evaluation.
