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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day—June 15

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. As part of our ongoing commitment to protecting your benefits and ensuring a healthy and secure retirement, LACERA is dedicated to safeguarding your well-being in all aspects. It is crucial for our community to actively participate in defending ourselves and the older adults in our lives against elder abuse.

Launched in 2006 by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, WEAAD shines a light on a global issue that too often goes unnoticed: the abuse and neglect of older adults. Join the fight against elder abuse by wearing purple this Sunday or take action through one of the resources provided below:

  • View a list of WEAAD events hosted by the L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department.
  • If you suspect a case of elder abuse (financial, physical, psychological, sexual, or neglect), contact the L.A. County Elder and Dependent Abuse Hotline at 877-477-3646 or your state’s Adult Protective Services office, as well as your local police department.
  • Have open conversations with your older relatives and maintain lines of communication regarding financial matters. Help educate them about ongoing scams that target older adults, and remind them to never give out their Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers over the phone or by email.
  • Keep a watchful eye on accounts. Watch your own accounts for signs of identity theft and security issues. In addition, if you are responsible for any older relatives, have a good understanding of their financial situation, and look for red flags such as unexplained withdrawals, sudden changes in accounts or estate planning documents, and other unusual transactions. See this financial exploitation check list for more tips.
  • Let us help! If you know a LACERA member in need of assistance or suspect that a member’s benefits are being exploited, please contact us at 800-786-6464 to speak with a retirement benefits specialist. You can also report suspected financial abuse to the U.S. Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.

To prevent elder abuse and neglect and to connect older adults and their caregivers with the services they need, here are some additional links to government agencies and resources: