WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina values its growing, diverse population of older adults and the importance of communities in supporting quality of life for all residents; and
WHEREAS, protecting North Carolina's vulnerable and older adults is a community responsibility and all citizens are charged under state law to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to their local county Department of Social Services; and
WHEREAS, in State Fiscal Year 2020-2021 there were 32,075 reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable and older adults made to North Carolina's county Departments of Social Services; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina’s population is living longer, our state ranks ninth nationally in the number of people aged 65 and over, and by 2025 one in five North Carolina residents will be older than 65; and
WHEREAS, older adults experienced tremendous loss and obstacles created by the pandemic, and the isolation experienced by older adults without adequate supports made them more susceptible to abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and
WHEREAS, fostering, maintaining, and improving supports to prevent abuse allows vulnerable and older adults to exercise their autonomy and ability to live in the setting of their choice; and
WHEREAS, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides a time for North Carolinians to pause and reflect on those who are susceptible to maltreatment, reminding us to promote a better understanding of the causes of this often unseen and unreported public health and civil rights issue, and to make sure we remain focused on the needs of our elder residents to lead lives of dignity and purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2022, as “WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.