Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Get Involved - The Elder You Save - Could Be YOU !


“Ageism in its many forms is a major component in the mistreatment of older people…. I hope that people will finally come to realize that if we live long enough, we all become members of the older generation.”

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has."


Dr. Margaret Mead, American anthropologist and social psychologist:

While Elder Abuse might sound like something that happens to other people
there is a basis for it in real life statistics.

The complete story of elder abuse is seldom told in the mainstream media, leaving elder abuse widely misunderstood. For the most part abuse of the elderly goes unreported.

Elderly victims of financial exploitation are dying at three times the rate of non victims. That's what we see here. It's the last part of family violence that we don't talk about.

Most people believe that Elder Abuse is something that happens in nursing homes while the vast majority of elder abuse, like child abuse, is more likely to come from family and from carers at home where there is far less scrutiny than in aged care facilities."

About 90 percent of people who demand or steal money from an elderly person are family members, caregivers and 'trusted loved ones'.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics,

An elderly person is abused every 2.7 minutes

"We are finally saying enough is enough - elder abuse is unacceptable and we are going to act to stop it."

Our Fight against Elder Abuse is justified by these principles :

• the right of older people to be free from harm or neglect;

• the right of older people to peace and security and live out their lives in their own homes and communities;

• the right of older people to dignity and respect;

• the right of older people to have a say (in their lives, their community, and
their society)

• older adults' rights to freedom of expression and thought;

• older adults' rights to have rights respected that others take for granted;

• the right of older people to have basic needs met, such as food, shelter,
care and support.

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