Get help planning events for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012

Older people’s charity Action on Elder Abuse are working hard to inspire fundraising efforts for this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2012, on June 15.

Operating within the UK and Ireland, Action on Elder Abuse consist of members from a range of health and care services and members of the public, together with regulators, policy makers and academics. The charity works primarily to prevent abuse occurring amongst older people, while also seeking positive intervention where it has already emerged.

The campaign has been highly-active in influencing adult safeguarding legislation and public inquiries into elder abuse, while also being contributing to undercover reporting on care sector issues, such as that revealed in recent BBC Panorama investigations.

Action on Elder Abuse estimates around nine per cent of elderly people experience some kind of abuse within either the familial or the care setting, including physical, psychological, financial and sexual, largely resulting from dependency, poverty or discrimination.

Marketing and support manager Maggie Evans comments: “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is about all of us working together to bring greater recognition of the mistreatment of older adults wherever they live throughout the world and to highlight the need for appropriate action.”

Some examples of fundraising efforts that volunteers can register for include walkathons, jumble sales, exhibitions, raffles, yoga parties and jumble sales, with the charity hoping that events will contribute to community spirit and workplace morale.

More information is available from the organisation’s website at elderabuse.org.uk, where those inspired to help the most vulnerable people in society can learn more about volunteering efforts, training and how to make a donation.