World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 

15 June 2009

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), which is a standing committee of the International Association of Gerontology (IAG), has designated 15 June  as ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’, with the support of organisations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.  The objective is to stress the need for people to understand what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented.  The day will commence in New Zealand and then travel the world as daylight breaks, demonstrating the global nature of this abuse and the need for efforts to combat and prevent it.

It is hoped that the day will involve national and international activities developed by countries, communities, neighbourhoods and organizations collaborating together.  Activities could include information technology initiatives, cultural and art events, and volunteer and educational programmes which create an awareness of elder abuse and its consequences.  It has the potential to involve Governments/Assemblies, care providers and regulators, and local communities in unison.

Action on Elder Abuse and INPEA, as the two elder abuse organisations, have now called a meeting to establish a steering group to take this initiative forward within the UK and the Republic of Ireland .  This is a tremendous opportunity for organisations, groups and individuals to come together to highlight the abuse of older people. It is hoped that we can establish an overall planning/facilitating committee to share ideas and information, with additional individual committees for each of the four nations of the UK and in Ireland .

INPEA GUIDE

INPEA FRONTCOVER                                            

INPEA TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEBRUARY BULLETIN FROM INPEA

MARCH BULLETIN FROM INPEA

INPEA CALL TO ACTION

See below for a guide on what you can do.

AEA is organising a series of events to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday June 15 2006, such as a skydive, a team of runners in the British 10k, information stalls and collections at Wimbledon Station and Sutton town centre and a lecture in partnership with the Institute of Gerontology at King's College London.

A host of individuals and organisations are also getting involved with the day. We've had a great response from care homes, sheltered housing schemes, adult protection co-ordinators, local councils and PCTs who are all getting involved, be it through a coffee morning or holding an open day.

AEA is also launching a campaign for the day, and we would like you to write to:

 - their GP, to enlist their help in raising awareness;

- their local MP, requesting that direct funding be provided for adult protection services; and

- their local regulator, asking for more regular inspections of all homes rather than less and for an improvement in    the distribution of medicine to residents.

We have drafted letters for you to use - just click on the appropriate one, include the address details and send it off. Every single person who writes will be helping us to provide a better outlook for the UK 's vulnerable older adults.

GP Letter                                        

MP Letter

Regulator Letter

You can also help by organising you own fundraising event. Below is our fundraising packs for the general public and organisations

Information Pack - General Public                           

Information Pack - Organisations

Skydive for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Information on what organisations are doing for World Elder Abuse Day: