WEAAD 2025: Voices United for Elder Dignity

On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), we at Adamson Ahdoot want to raise our voices and stand united in support of elder abuse victims.

Unfortunately, elder abuse remains a harsh and all-too-common reality in states like California. What’s even more alarming is that this troubling trend continues to rise year after year. According to the California Department of Aging, more than 200,000 cases of elder abuse have been reported. However, experts believe the actual number is significantly higher, as most cases go unreported and remain hidden.

In this blog, we’ll share key facts and essential resources about this growing problem to help prevent more seniors from finding themselves in vulnerable situations where others take advantage of them. Read on to discover official statistics, learn how to recognize the warning signs of elder abuse, and find out how to report and stop it.

If you or a loved one has experienced physical, emotional, or financial abuse, don’t hesitate to contact Adamson Ahdoot. Our law firm takes elder abuse cases seriously and fights to protect the dignity and rights of seniors across California.

Call us today at (800) 310-1606 or submit your inquiry online for a free and confidential consultation.

WEEAD: A Global Commitment to the Dignity of Older Adults

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was officially established on June 15, 2006, as a joint initiative by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with the support of the United Nations.

Since then, this annual event has been observed worldwide every June as a call to action against the abuse and neglect experienced by millions of older individuals across the globe. Its primary goal is to raise public awareness and promote stronger social understanding of this growing issue, encouraging communities, organizations, and individuals to take meaningful steps toward prevention and protection.

What Is Elder Abuse?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines elder abuse as a “single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust.”

In simpler terms, elder abuse refers to any act—or failure to act—that causes physical, emotional, psychological, or financial harm to an older adult, violating their rights and dignity. This abuse can happen in different settings, including private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

Unfortunately, no environment is completely risk-free, and all seniors are potentially vulnerable to abuse or neglect, regardless of their living situation or level of independence.

Here are the seven most common types of elder abuse:

1. Physical Abuse: The intentional use of force to cause pain, injury, or suffering. Examples include hitting, slapping, pushing, shaking, burning.
2. Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or activity involving an elderly person. This also includes situations where the victim cannot provide consent due to cognitive or physical limitations.
3. Neglect: The failure to provide for an older person’s basic needs, such as adequate food, hygiene, shelter, clothing, or medical care. Neglect may be intentional or result from a lack of awareness or resources.
4. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Actions that cause emotional distress through verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, intimidation, manipulation, or deliberate isolation.
5. Abandonment: The intentional desertion of an elderly person by someone who has assumed responsibility for their care.
6. Isolation: Deliberately limiting or preventing an older adult’s contact with family, friends, or social activities, often leading to emotional harm and loneliness.
7. Financial Abuse or Exploitation: The unauthorized or improper use of an elder’s funds, property, or assets, often carried out through deception, coercion, forgery, or theft.

Key Laws Protecting Seniors in California

Although California has one of the highest rates of reported elder abuse, it also has one of the strongest legal frameworks to protect older adults and dependent individuals. The state has enacted laws specifically designed to protect the rights, health, and safety of people aged 65 and older, as well as adults with disabilities or in vulnerable situations.

Some of the key laws protecting seniors’ rights are:

• The Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act: This law allows victims of elder abuse—or their family members—to file civil lawsuits against individuals or entities responsible for their mistreatment, neglect, or financial exploitation. It also enables victims to recover damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages in certain cases.
• California Penal Code Section 368: This section of the California Penal Code establishes criminal penalties for individuals who abuse, neglect, or financially exploit seniors or dependent adults. Depending on the severity of the abuse, offenders may face fines and/or imprisonment.
• Mandatory Reporting Laws: California law requires certain professionals to report any known or suspected case of elder abuse. These professionals include healthcare providers, social workers, caregivers, law enforcement officers, and others who work closely with elderly or dependent adults. Failure to report can lead to legal consequences.

How to Spot the Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

According to the World Health Organization, elder abuse is a silent crisis reaching alarming levels worldwide. Recent studies estimate that one in six people over the age of 60 has experienced some form of abuse, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or neglect-related abuse. A comprehensive analysis published in The Lancet Global Health supports this estimate and emphasizes the urgent need for early detection and intervention.

Sadly, many victims never report the abuse they endure. Common reasons for staying silent include fear of retaliation, feelings of shame, and emotional or financial dependence on their abuser. That’s why recognizing the warning signs is critical. Early identification can mark the difference between prolonged suffering and reclaiming safety, dignity, and peace of mind.

It’s also important to understand that abusers are often people the victim knows and trusts. Perpetrators may be family members, caregivers, or staff at nursing homes and care facilities.

Below are some of the most common indicators of elder abuse:

• Unexplained physical injuries, especially in hidden areas.
• Sudden mood, personality, or behavior changes.
• Visible fear or discomfort around specific individuals.
• Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or dehydration.
• Unusual financial activity or irregularities.

You Suspect Abuse of an Elderly Person: What Can You Do?

If you suspect that an elderly person is being abused, it’s crucial to act quickly and decisively. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or neighbor, ignoring the warning signs is not an option. Your first step should be to report the situation to the proper authorities.

In California, you can contact your local Adult Protective Services office, which is responsible for investigating and responding to elder abuse cases. You can also report the situation to the California Department of Public Health, especially if the abuse involves neglect or mistreatment in nursing homes, care facilities, or assisted living centers.

In addition to reporting the abuse to law enforcement and public protection agencies, it’s important to consult legal experts who specialize in elder abuse cases. These professionals will guide and support the victim through every stage of the process until justice is served.

At Adamson Ahdoot, we understand that these situations are emotionally charged and highly sensitive. That’s why we handle every case with compassion, confidentiality, and determination. If you suspect that someone you know is a victim of elder abuse, contact us today. We’ll help you understand your legal options and provide the dedicated support you and your loved one deserve.

Protecting Senior Rights: How Adamson Ahdoot Can Help

Are you or a loved one suffering from elder abuse, either at home or in a care facility? Have you witnessed mistreatment or suspect that something isn’t right? Don’t wait. Call Adamson Ahdoot today.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, we are leaders in advocating for victims of elder abuse across California. Our mission is to protect the dignity and rights of those who need it most. Whether your case involves physical injuries, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect, we are here to help.

Contact us today by calling (800) 310-1606 or submitting your free and confidential consultation online. Trust the experience of California’s leading personal injury attorneys.