June 15, 2024 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On this day each year, communities in the USA and all over  the world will sponsor events to highlight solutions to this systemic social challenge. Elder Care Services will be  hosting their annual Strides for Change: An Abuse Awareness Walk to further participate in this national  conversation on June 14th from 4-6pm at Rotary Park located at 1504 State St. in DeKalb, IL. This is a free event  and open to all. 

When we come together, we can prevent elder abuse from happening. We can put support services in place, and  direct community resources toward addressing elder abuse. Our community must reaffirm our commitment to  justice and create a sturdy structure of support that will benefit us all as we get older. 

Elder abuse is widespread. Every year an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or  exploitation. Elder Care Services of DeKalb County, your senior service provider, received a total of 340 reports of  abuse in 2023. This represents abuse happening right here in DeKalb County! Unfortunately, that’s only part of the  picture as experts believe that elder abuse is significantly under-reported, in part because so many of our  communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. Research  suggests that as few as 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities.  

The good news is that we can prevent and address the issue of elder abuse through awareness and action. There are  many ways we can work together to strengthen local social supports through policies, services, and programs that  keep us integrated in our communities as we age. You can find ideas on how to make a difference below. 

• You can work with Elder Care Services to create spaces that allow older people to build relationships and  participate in the work, play, and life of our neighborhoods.  
• You can work with Elder Care Services to increase transportation access to reducing social isolation and so that  we can continue to move throughout our communities as we age.  
• You can work with Elder Care Services to find new and better ways to arrange and coordinate the teams, agencies,  and programs that work specifically with older people.  
• You can participate in learning about the importance of preventing isolation, how to spot the warning signs of  abuse, and what to do to address abuse or neglect by participating in our Strides for Change awareness walk on June  14th at 4pm in Rotary Park DeKalb, IL. 

By doing all that we can to strengthen the social support structure, we can reduce social isolation, protect  communities and families against elder abuse, and build a nation that lives up to our promise of justice for all. 

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact: Elder Care Services of DeKalb County Board and Staff – 815-758-6550 – www.ecsdekalb.org.