NCCD Now: Protecting Older Adults

May 8, 2018 | Debra Illingworth Greene

Grandmother and Grandson

When I was young, celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with my family prompted the same question every year from my sister and me: “But when is kid’s day?” My parents’ answer was always the same: “Every day is kid’s day.” For someone growing up in a safe and stable home, like me, that really was the truth.

Now I’ve learned that May is Older Americans Month. It’s been that way for 55 years—designated by the Administration on Aging to recognize the many ways our country’s older adults continue to enrich the lives of others. This year’s theme, “Engage at Every Age,” encourages older adults to participate in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I know many adults well into their 70s and 80s who exercise regularly, stay socially active, and volunteer in their communities. It’s inspiring—and worth celebrating!

However, just like every day is not kid’s day for the thousands of children in our nation who live in precarious situations, many older adults are not able to focus on their well-being or contribute to their communities. These are our older neighbors and relatives who suffer from abuse and self-neglect, and the reason for NCCD to focus on adult protection during Older Americans Month, leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.

We have several blog posts that will look at the role of adult protective services (APS) in keeping older adults safe, along with NCCD’s Structured Decision Making® system for APS. Please visit our website in the coming weeks to read these blog posts. 

In addition, to learn more about elder abuse in general, I would suggest the following resources:

National Center on Elder Abuse Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse Facts

This month, let’s celebrate older Americans who are engaged in life—and spread awareness about how to help those who aren’t. Let’s work to make every day older Americans day.

Debra Illingworth Greene is the communications manager for NCCD.

  
Read the posts in this series here:

The SDM® System Helps Address Complexity of Adult Protective Services, by Debra Illingworth Greene

Frequent Flyers Need More, by Jennifer Cotter

Using Data to Better Serve Vulnerable Adults, by Jennifer Cotter

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, by NCCD

SDM Assessments Bring Clarity to Arizona APS, by Kama Chase