LANSING — House Resolution 125 was adopted by the House today declaring June 15, 2019 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the state of Michigan, sponsored by state Rep. Brian Elder (D-Bay City). It is estimated that approximately 5 million individuals over the age of 60 are victimized each year through elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, and become two times more likely to die earlier than older adults of the same age who are not abused.
“Increased awareness of the threats posed by elder abuse is vital to the wellbeing of Michigan’s seniors,” said Elder. “When more people are aware of the signs to look for and avenues available to report abuse, we can aid in preventing it long-term. As a member of the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force, I am proud to stand with my colleagues to combat this problem in our state.”
The Michigan’s Elder Abuse Awareness Day will fall on the same date as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, launched in 2006 in partnership between the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization.
###