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New Yorkers Rally to Support Older Adult Community and Help End Elder Abuse at NYC Aging’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event

The WEAAD day of action included a community walk and a support and resource fair.

New York, NY – Today, approximately 200 people rallied in Sunnyside, Queens to raise awareness about elder abuse, support survivors, and empower all older adults with critical information and resources to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) event commenced with a community march down Queens Boulevard, representing a collective effort to draw attention to the many harms of elder abuse and stand in solidarity with survivors. A resource and supports fair featuring insights from community and government resource organizations, elected officials, and survivors immediately followed, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with the numerous NYC Aging programs and services available to those suffering from elder abuse.

The event’s theme, “Building Strong Supports for Elders,” emphasized the importance of creating a robust network of support for older adult victims of abuse. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 10 older adults who live at home experienced abuse in the past year alone, but only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported or receive needed assistance.

Strong supports are essential to ensure that victims receive much-needed help to overcome their abuse and regain their sense of security and dignity. Event participation helped shine a light on elder abuse, support survivors, and empower all older adults to speak up, and when necessary, seek help to prevent and eradicate elder abuse in their communities.

“Today’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event demonstrated the power of our community to provide critical support for survivors and raise awareness in order to prevent further abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “The coalition of survivors, advocates, community leaders, and supporters shined a light on elder abuse, offering victims critical resources to rebuild their lives and declaring in no uncertain terms that these heinous crimes have no place in New York City.”

“Across the United States, 10% of all older adults are victims of elder abuse, yet only 1 in 24 cases are ever reported,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Today’s event underscores our commitment to supporting survivors and preventing future abuse to ensure the safety and well-being of the city’s nearly 1.8M older residents. We will continue to uphold the values of dignity and respect that they so richly deserve.”

“During National Elder Abuse Month, it is essential to emphasize Elder Abuse Awareness. I am appalled by any form of elder abuse, and as Chair of the Aging Committee, I am committed to protecting our seniors,” said NY State Senator Cordell Cleare. “My bill, Senate 9138, will establish an interagency elder justice task force consisting of representatives from state agencies involved in elder justice to create greater collaboration and develop overarching strategies, systems, and programs to protect older adults from abuse and mistreatment. Additionally, my office will be honoring our elders at our 3rd Annual Senior Day in Harlem to celebrate them and recognize them as the foundation of our community.”

“Elder crime can mean many different things; emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse to name a few. But the most common crimes perpetrated against older adults is rampant fraud and financial exploitation. Financial crimes against older adults in the U.S. cost an astonishing amount. Some reports estimate it to be $3.4 billion per year,” said Assemblymember Ron Kim, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging. “As the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging, I’m always looking for ways to raise awareness, work with law enforcement, and educate our communities about how to protect their loved ones against the many predatory schemes out there. Today’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a step in the right direction. I want to thank my partners at New York City’s Department for the Aging and look forward to continuing our work on Elder Crime awareness and prevention.”

“We’re proud to partner with NYC Aging in the important work of supporting those who have experienced elder abuse. It is crucial for New Yorkers to recognize the signs of elder abuse and to be aware of the resources available to help those affected,” said Judy Zangwill, Executive Director of Sunnyside Community Services. “Events like the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the resource fair held at Sunnyside Community Services, and our own Elder Justice program play an important role in educating individuals about this issue and providing them with the necessary tools and information to combat abuse.”

Photos and b-roll from today’s event can be found here.

Today’s day of action is one of multiple NYC Aging sponsored and supported events aimed at raising awareness about elder abuse including lighting up City Hall and as several municipal buildings across all five boroughs purple on June 15, the official World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to raise awareness and support survivors, and a Harlem Elder Abuse Awareness resource fair on June 26, co-sponsored by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and NY State Senator Cordell Cleare.

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About The Department for the Aging

The Department for the Aging’s (NYC Aging) mission is to eliminate ageism and employ a community-care approach that allows residents to access the programs and resources necessary for their physical and mental well-being. Through a network of over 400 older adult centers and naturally occurring retirement communities, support and services are provided that allow nearly 1.8 older New Yorkers to continue living independently in their communities.

About World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, is an international effort to raise awareness and promote the dignity and well-being of older adults by preventing abuse and neglect.