Protect Week and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: June 15th​

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. ​Every year, an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation and that's only part of the picture. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an estimated 93% of elder abuse cases go unreported each year.

WEADD Proclamation.png
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder. Elder abuse takes many forms, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and exploitation, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats), abandonment, and self-neglect. ​Elder abuse can occur anywhere - in the home, in nursing homes, or other institutions. It affects seniors across all socioeconomic groups, cultures, and races. ​


WEAAD Events:

  • NCEA Webinar: Decision-Making in Later Life
    Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 1:00 PM ET​

    We all have the right to take risks and make choices that give our lives meaning. However, older adults’ participation in activities that carry risk often comes under scrutiny, particularly if they experience physical, cognitive, mental health, or functional decline. This webinar hosted by the ACL-funded National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2024 will address how elder justice professionals can support older adults in navigating the assessment, management, mitigation, and acceptance of risk that may expose them to abuse or harm. A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion.​

  • Maintaining your Mental Health: One Piece of the Elder Abuse Puzzle
    Friday, June 14 • 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    East Columbia 50+ Center
    6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045

    Local experts come together to share information and resources on the role of mental health in elder abuse, prevention, and seeking interventions. Free, lunch is provided​.​

​​​​​
​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​

PROTECT Week: June 10-17

Financial fraud costs older adults almost $3 billion a year. It can be hard to recognize as it comes in many forms. Scammers typically pretending to be someone they're not use the phone, email, online, and mail platforms to target older adults. Unfortunately, even more, money is lost to exploiters who are family, friends or caregivers. It's important to take time to learn how to spot, stop, and report financial abuse of older adults.

To assist Marylanders in identifying and combating fraud, AARP Maryland, the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Comptroller, CCCSMD (Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland), the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, the Commissioner of Financial Regulation from the Maryland Department of Labor, and a coalition of consumer protection groups host an annual statewide public awareness campaign during PROTECT Week (Protecting Older Americans from Financial Exploitation), June 10-17, 20​24.​


Community Events:

Worcester County

 

Ocean Pines AARP Protect Week Shred Event

June 13th, 2024, 11 am -2 pm

Ocean Pines Library 11107 Cathell Rd, Berlin, MD 21811​


National or State Virtual Events - All are welcome to attend

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

MD Area Agencies on Aging Virtual Events - All are welcome to attend

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Allegany County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Anne Arundel County

 

Anne Arundel AARP Maryland Protect Week Shred Event

June 12th, 2024 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library, 1410 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401​


Baltimore County

 

Baltimore County AARP Maryland Protect Week Shred Event

June 17th, 2024, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Victory Villa Senior Center, 403 Compass Road, Middle River MD​


Carroll County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Charles County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Frederick County

 

Frederick AARP Maryland Protect Week Shred Event

June 15th, 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

401 Delaware Rd, Frederick, MD 21701​​


Garrett County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Howard County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Kent County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Montgomery County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Prince George's County

 

Prince George's County AARP Protect Week Shred Event

June 11, 2024, 11 am- 2 pm

Camp Springs Senior Activity Center

6420 Allentown Rd, Camp Springs, MD 20748​


Queen Anne's County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!

Washington County

 
Check back for 2024 events coming soon!
​​Check with your local Area Agency on Aging​ for specifics. We encourage everyone to attend national and local events.