World Elder Abuse Awareness Month is recognized annually in June to educate people about the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older individuals. This can include both intentional and negligent actions that result in physical, emotional or financial harm.
One of the first steps in combating the maltreatment of older adults is recognizing the signs. Older adults who are being abused may exhibit unexplained physical injuries such as bruises, cuts and fractures, or emotional symptoms like depression, anxiety and withdrawal.
Neglect may not always be as obvious, but signs can include an overgrown yard, sudden weight loss or a significant decrease in personal hygiene. Older adults who are victims of financial exploitation may have unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or sudden changes in financial documents.
