June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and was launched in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.  The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse is a largely hidden and growing problem in the United States.  It is defined by law as “an act or omission, which results in a serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person or financial exploitation of an elderly person; or the failure, inability or resistance of an elderly person to provide for himself or herself one or more of the necessities essential for physical and emotional well-being without which the elderly person would be unable to safely remain in the community.”  Elder abuse can include physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and financial exploitation. Another form of elder abuse is self-neglect.

Purple is the color associated with Elder Abuse Awareness – individuals are encouraged to wear purple on Monday, June 15, 2026, which is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  By wearing purple that day it makes a statement of unity to promote a safe and healthy environment for older adults.  Why purple?  Because we associate the color purple with royalty, dignity, and respect — the same words we should be using to describe our elders.

For more information about Marion County Adult Protective Services, please click on this link:  Marion County APS