Presidential Documents

32359 

Federal Register 

Vol. 86, No. 115 

Thursday, June 17, 2021 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10228 of June 14, 2021 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Older Americans make invaluable contributions to our families, our communities, and our Nation every day. But for far too many, the sacred promise 

of aging with dignity in America is broken by unconscionable incidents 

of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 

Americans of all ages join the international community to raise awareness 

and help bring an end to elder abuse. 

Elder abuse can take many forms, including financial, emotional, physical, 

or sexual abuse, as well as exploitation and neglect. Every year, one in 

ten Americans aged 60 and older experiences abuse—and for every case 

of elder abuse that comes to the attention of authorities, it is estimated 

that 23 cases are never brought to light. Since the start of the COVID– 

19 pandemic, we have also seen a chilling increase in hate crimes targeting 

Asian-Americans, many of whom have been elders. These attacks are shameful and deeply un-American. 

Central to our Nation is the idea that we are all in this together, and 

that as Americans we owe one another a basic duty of care. The pandemic 

has both reinforced the importance of that duty and tested our capacity 

to meet it—the virus has exacerbated the quiet harm of social isolation 

among seniors around the world, a condition that makes abuse, neglect, 

and exploitation more likely. Having lost so many cherished seniors to 

this virus, we must recommit ourselves to fully including older Americans 

in our communities and systems of support. We must care for one another— 

and leave no one behind. 

With over three-quarters of Americans 65 and over now fully vaccinated 

and more progress being made every day, the future for seniors is growing 

brighter and brighter. After a painful year, grandparents around the world 

are hugging their grandchildren again. Vaccinated seniors who were socially 

isolated are able to reengage with the broader community again. And as 

we begin to build back better, we are working to ensure that older Americans 

have greater opportunities to live with dignity, safety, independence, and 

social connections. 

My Administration is committed to fulfilling that promise. That’s why the 

American Rescue Plan included more than $1.4 billion in additional funding 

for programs that promote community living and ensure the safety and 

protection of older adults. The law also enhances the Elder Justice Act 

and ensures that Adult Protective Services can be used to protect the safety 

and dignity of all seniors. Additionally, the plan included new Medicaid 

funding to expand access to critical home and community-based health 

care services, and over $275 million for elder justice programs that address 

abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The American Jobs Plan and American 

Families Plan will further that progress, building up the care infrastructure 

that our economy and so many families depend on—expanding day programs 

for seniors, programs that bring care workers to seniors’ homes to cook 

meals, and programs to help seniors get around their home safely and 

live more independently. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with FR_PREZDOC1
32360 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 115 / Thursday, June 17, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

As we expand opportunities for older Americans, my Administration will 

also not tolerate elder abuse or hate in any form. I have instructed agencies 

across the Federal Government to do their part to combat elder abuse and 

support survivors. We are working to renew and strengthen the Violence 

Against Women Act, which also dedicates Federal funds to develop a more 

comprehensive approach to addressing abuse and neglect in later life, including through the funding of victim service providers, law enforcement, and 

prosecutors working to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual 

assault, and stalking experienced by older adults, whether caused by a 

spouse, family member, caregiver, or others. And this year, for the first 

time, the Federal Government has provided funding to Adult Protective 

Services programs in every State and Territory to support their critical, 

on-the-ground work investigating abuse and connecting victims to resources. 

During World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we also recognize the individuals 

who dedicate themselves to preventing elder abuse. All across our Nation, 

caregivers work to help older adults stay connected to their communities 

while preventing elder abuse and intervening if it occurs. These unsung 

heroes include family members, Adult Protective Services workers, social 

service providers, nonprofit victim services organizations, long-term care 

ombudspersons, law enforcement officers, judges and judicial personnel, 

legal professionals, health care professionals, and financial professionals. 

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we stand with all older Americans, 

and elderly people around the world, who are victims of elder abuse, neglect, 

and financial exploitation, and we recommit ourselves to protecting every 

senior’s right to live their golden years with dignity and respect. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2021, 

as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all Americans to work 

for elder justice by building inclusive communities that welcome people 

of all ages and abilities; by learning the warning signs of elder abuse, 

neglect, and exploitation; and by challenging age-related biases. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 

of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortyfifth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–13019 

Filed 6–16–21; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with FR_PREZDOC1BIDEN.EPS</GPH>