​​​​​​​

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:

  • World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 
    Monday, June 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET​ | PG County Dept. of Family Services​
    ​
    Welcome to our hybrid event dedicated to raising awareness about elder abuse! Join us in person OR online for a day filled with insightful discussions, educational resources, and inspiring stories. Together, let's shine a light on this important issue and work towards creating a safer environment for our elders. Mark your calendars and spread the word! Lunch will be provided to residents attending in person.​​ Click here to register.
purple event image for world elder abuse awareness day

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

PROTECT Week: June 16-20, 2025

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 16-20, 20​25.​


2025 Shred Events: ​

Prince George's County Document Shred
Camp Springs Senior Activity Center
6420 Allentown Rd
Camp Springs, MD 20748
June 16, 2025  l  11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Register: https://events.aarp.org/A140R0​ or call (877) 926-8300

Worcester County Document Shred
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Rd.
Berlin, MD 21811
June 17, 2025  l  10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Register: https://events.aarp.org/ZzMV9L or call (877) 926-8300

Washington County Document Shred
Washington County Commission on Aging
535 E Franklin St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
June 18, 2025  l  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Register: https://events.aarp.org/omQWGL or call (877) 926-8300

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


​Additional Resources