It is twenty years since World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was set up because it simply wasn’t recognised that older people experience abuse every day in our communities.
Now there is awareness. There are safeguards. There is good practice.
But not for everyone, everywhere, all of the time.
Today, Hourglass are asking us to think about what’s next.
It’s a good time to do so. Last week was Age Without Limits Day and the theme was Question Ageism.
- Abuse puts a limit on the possibility for someone to thrive in later life.
- To end abuse in later life, we have to keep questioning. We must not be complacent.
So the right question is ‘What’s next?’
Hourglass highlight that still one in six older people experience abuse. They call for Safer Ageing. Not just awareness but action.
What can we do next?
- We need to keep up the awareness that older people experience abuse.
- We should all know about Hourglass’s free UK helpline for older people, carers, families or professionals – anyone who is concerned about abuse or needs advice about prevention.
- We can use Hourglass policy briefings and research.
- And we can share their resources on how to keep yourself and others safe.
Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
It’s a good day to visit https://www.wearehourglass.org/england/welcome-hourglass.