World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Walk to Build Support for Elders

Hands

Mecklenburg County residents are invited to join their neighbors from across the community to support our elders and those who care for them on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  

Age-Friendly Mecklenburg, AARP Charlotte, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of N.C. are co-hosting a walk and wearing purple to raise awareness of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons.  

Residents can register in advance and receive a free T-shirt. But everyone is welcome for giveaways and refreshments. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) serves as a call to action for our community to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffirm our country’s commitment to the principle of justice for all. Observed since 2006, WEAAD is an effort to unite communities in preventing elder abuse. 

Joining the Mecklenburg County walk on June 4 will be:  

  • Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of N.C. 
  • George Dunlap, Chair, Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners 
  • Dena R. Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager 
  • Kimberly Henderson, Director, Mecklenburg County Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services 

Every year an estimated one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Experts believe that elder abuse is significantly underreported, in part because many communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. Research suggests that as few as one in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities.  

Residents can support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with the hashtag #WalkforWEAAD. For more information, visit Age-Friendly Mecklenburg, call 980-314-6070, or email [email protected].  

The walk is organized by Age-Friendly Mecklenburg, an initiative of the County’s Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services that works to improve the quality of life for older adults; AARP Charlotte; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of N.C.