Today is WEAAD
The goal of WEAAD is to increase awareness of elder abuse throughout the world and bring attention for the need for prevention and action. Every year, millions of older adults are abused, neglected or exploited, with many cases never being reported.
WEAAD also supports the United Nations International Plan of Action, which identifies elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.
Yesterday, the White House Symposium on Elder Abuse was held in recognition of WEAAD. The daylong symposium featured national experts and government officials in presentations and panel discussions that were broadcast live on the White House website from 9-11:30 AM and 1:30-4:00 PM.
In the afternoon, some Pennsylvania attendees commented on the widespread and vicious nature of financial elder abuse, and their efforts to combat it in Eastern Pennsylvania.
On the National Commission on Elder Abuse's “Take a Stand” webpage, you can learn about other WEAAD events occurring across the country, searchable by state.
Today, in Pennsylvania, in recognition of WEAAD, two organizations from Eastern Pennsylvania -- CARIE and the SeniorLAW Center, of Philadelphia -- hold their Elder Justice: Protection and Advocacy Technical Assistance Regional Conference in State College at The Penn Stater Conference Center.
The [Conference] will provide an enhanced understanding of Elder Justice in Pennsylvania.
The Conference will also provide an opportunity for victim service providers and allied professionals from the surrounding counties to enhance their skills and network, increase collaboration, share best practices, and learn about emerging victim advocacy trends.
David R. Hoffman, Esquire will deliver the keynote speech presenting on the State Perspectives of the Adult Protective Services System.
The remainder of the agenda will include an Elder Abuse Task Force presentation, a leadership panel, direct services panel and break-out exercises involving a case study for each group to problem solve by learning about and utilizing the services of multiple agencies in order to build networks and strengthen victim services in each community. * * *The professional groups invited to the Conference in State College include: Community Social Services providers (non-aging), Aging Services Providers, Adult Protective Services, Domestic Violence Service Providers, Medical/health Professionals, Faith Community, Law enforcement, Community Legal providers/network, Other Criminal Justice Professionals, Local Government, and Community Leaders.
You can view or download Mr. Hoffman's 16-slide PowerPoint presentation, posted by CARIE. His overview provides statistics, definitions, situations, approaches, resources, and needs.
You may also be interested to view the elder abuse resources posted by the Center for Elders and the Courts, including its Elder Abuse Curriculum for State Judicial Educators and its new Elder Abuse Toolkit, which was promised to be available today, in recognition of WEAAD.
