World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023: Building Strong Support for Elders

Reprinted from National NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers

By Chris Herman, MSW, LICSW, Senior Practice Associate–Aging

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed on June 15 each year with three goals:

• increasing awareness about elder abuse (which can include neglect, financial abuse or exploitation, and physical, sexual, or emotional–psychological abuse)

• fostering action by individuals, organizations, and communities to identify, prevent, and address elder abuse

• reaffirming our society’s commitment to the principle of justice for all

The 2023 WEAAD theme is Building Strong Support for Elders. This year, WEAAD is part of a broader observance, WEAAD Week, observed June 9 through 16 and led by the federally funded National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). This NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers publication addresses the following topics, most of which are relevant throughout the year:

• relevance of elder abuse to you as a social worker, regardless of your practice specialty or setting

• information every social worker needs to know about elder abuse

• significance of the WEAAD theme

• free, nationwide virtual events occurring on WEAAD and throughout the month of June

• other ways in which social workers can participate in WEAAD Week

• NASW activities to prevent and address elder abuse

• invitation to tell NASW how you are working to prevent and address elder abuse

• resources from NCEA, NASW, and other organizations to help you work for elder justice throughout the year

Read the rest of the full "Tips & Tools for Social Workers" article here.