The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse has designated Wednesday, June 15, as the sixth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Communities and municipalities throughout the world will hold events to raise community awareness about elder abuse. The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners will issue a proclamation urging residents to respect older adults and to help bring the issue of elder abuse to the forefront.

The awareness day supports the United Nations International Plan of Action, which recognizes that elder abuse is a public health and human rights issue. Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely unrecognized or unspoken.

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, founded in 1997, is dedicated to global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to worldwide prevention of elder abuse. While acknowledging the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and ways of living in the world, the organization wants to increase society's ability, through international collaboration, to recognize and respond to the mistreatment of older people in whatever setting it occurs, so that the later years of life are free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The organization urges people to show the world they care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing something purple on June 15. You can also help by learning more, working with others to prevent abuse, and reporting suspected abuse to authorities.

For more information about the prevention of elder abuse, visit www.inpea.net.

Getting protection

• Call Adult Protective Services in Kansas to report suspected abuse in the community. Make a report even if you aren't sure that what you are experiencing or witnessing is abuse. The agency's staff will investigate, and calls are anonymous. The Adult Protective Services Hotline, 800-922-5330, is answered around the clock.
  
• To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation in an adult care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living community, call 800-842-0078.
  
• For information on Adult Protective Services in Kansas, visit www.srs.ks.gov/agency/ees/Pages/APS/AdultProtectiveServices.aspx.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15!

Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect.

Wear something purple on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15.

Because elder abuse should never be ignored.