Elder abuse is not just limited to the United States. This year, we are celebrating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by highlighting organizations, campaigns, and efforts around the world dedicated to helping older adults and preventing elder abuse.. We carefully curated a list of 11 organizations in 11 countries around the world that are working on issues of elder abuse through policy, education, research and services. For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we stand in solidarity with our colleagues worldwide, proud that elder justice is truly an international movement.
In Kenya, people over 56 are the country’s poorest age group. HelpAge Kenya’s mission is to see that the needs and rights of older people in Kenya are recognized and addressed through policies, legislation, and programs.
Action on Elder Abuse’s (AEA) mission is to challenge Elder Abuse in the United Kingdom. AEA was founded by a group of health care practitioners, social care workers, academics and representatives concerned about the lack of information and assistance for older abuse vulnerable to abuse. #WEAAD
3. Canadian Network on Prevention of Elder Abuse
The Canadian Network on Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) connects people and organizations to foster the exchange of reliable information, and advance program and policy development on issues related to preventing the abuse of older adults in Canada.
4. AGECO
AGECO based in Costa Rica generates strategies that improve the quality of life of older adults. In addition to supporting older adults in need of health care and social support, AGECO has a legal counseling service. This service operates through volunteers who are trained to handle calls, listen, and direct to the legal support older adults need if exploited, neglected, or abused.
For A Safe Old Age (Suvanto) encourages public discussion about the abuse of older adults in Finland, helps older Finnish people and those close to them in times of need, and seeks to prevent the abuse of older adults. The association can help both the victims of elder abuse and give guidance to the professionals working with the older adults.
6. Line Line
Greece is the poorest country in Europe when it comes to the socio-economic prosperity of older adults, but Life Line is not deterred. Life Lineoperates a national helpline for older people who have been neglected or abused. Additionally, Life Line provides meals for older adults and assistance for emergency health services.
7. Age Concern
Age Concern provides expert information and support services in response to older adult’s needs. In addition to providing information about elder abuse in New Zealand, Age Concern promotes dignity, well-being, equity and respect.
8. Action on Elder Abuse South Africa
Action on Elder Abuse South Africa (AEASA) empowers older adults with information about their rights and actions to take if abuse occurs. AEASA seeks to create awareness in communities and ultimately prevent elder abuse in South Africa.
HelpAge India works to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged older persons. Their HelpAge Senior Citizen Helpline offers assistance to older persons in need of care and protection, including information regarding medical assistance and emergency services, advice, guidance and support in calls related to dispute and elder abuse.
10. National Center for the Protection of Older People
The National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NPOP) is an Irish research initiative seeking to shed light on elder abuse in Ireland. Through their collaborative interdisciplinary team, NCPOP aims to develop a knowledge base of Irish and international research to contribute to the development of policy, practice, and education
11. National Center on Elder Abuse
Millions of older adults are abused in the United States. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) provides the latest information regarding research, training, best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation to professionals and the public.