15 June 2016 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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Bennett Griffin are proud to be a member of Action on Elder Abuse .

The reason for this that we are committed to raising awareness of this often unspoken issue. In doing so we hope to turn this improved awareness into positive action to help end Elder Abuse.

In simple terms:

  • Over 500,000 older people are abused in the UK each year
  • Elder abuse can occur anywhere. This includes in someone’s own home, a residential home, or a hospital
  • Both older men and women can be at risk of abuse, though a majority of victims are women over the age of 70
  • There are five common types of abuse: physical, psychological, financial, sexual abuse and neglect

We want to play our part in helping end elder abuse but this can only be achieved if individuals and communities come together with this common goal and resolve.

As part of the awareness raising initiative, today, Wednesday 15th June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The day is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognises the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. Governments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, religious groups, professionals in the field of aging, interested individuals as well as older people themselves will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by organising activities around the world to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognised or treated as an unspoken problem.  Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis.  Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) are vital for informing people in a growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.

At Bennett Griffin LLP we take safeguarding seriously and are committed to doing what we can to reduce the risk posed by elder isolation and thereby to eventually eradicate elder abuse in all of its forms.

If you are concerned for a loved one or neighbour and don’t know where to turn to for professional advice and support then please contact us.

We are members of Solicitors for the Elderly and one of our Partners, Ian Macara, is one of only 71 Panel Deputies in England, approved by the Office of the Public Guardian to act for the vulnerable.

Finally, the challenges of living with Dementia can potentially increase the vulnerability of an elderly person, particularly if they become isolated. We are a Dementia Friends business and we also have two Dementia Friends Champions who are accredited by the Alzheimers Society to present their Dementia Friends Information Sessions.

If you would be interested in learning more about Dementia, how to become a Dementia Friend and be better equipped to help those living with the challenged of Dementia, then please do contact Ian Macara or Elin Dukes or log on to the Dementia Friends website https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ to sign up on line for either of our next two courses which are taking place on Tuesday 21st June and Tuesday 19th July, both from 12noon to 1pm in Ferring.

 

The information contained in this article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be legal advice. Professional advice should always be taken on the application of the law in any particular situation.