Governor Proclaims World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, North Carolina ranks eighth nationally in the number of people ages 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, elder abuse is a growing concern as the number of adults over age 65 in North Carolina grows; by 2025, one in five residents will be over age 65, and with greater longevity there will be more opportunities for older adults to experience maltreatment, whether physical, emotional, or financial; and

WHEREAS, elder abuse is under-reported, overlooked, and often ignored, and each resident has a legal responsibility to report any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation without fear of reprisal to their local county social services department; and

WHEREAS, in the state Fiscal Year 2022-2023, there were around 35,400 reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable and older adults made to North Carolina's 100 county departments of social services; and

WHEREAS, encouraging, strengthening, and increasing support to prevent abuse allows vulnerable and older adults to exercise their independence and their right to self-determination; and

WHEREAS, we must utilize every tool available to ensure our older adults live with confidence and security in their later years, free from fear, harassment, and harm; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins the world in recognizing June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by taking a stand and making it known that it is not acceptable for any older adult to live in fear, be mistreated, or experience intentional harm;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2024, as “WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

________________________________________

Roy Cooper

Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.