Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) invites residents to celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2023. The BCAAA is promoting the event planned by Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Abuse Prevention and ElderWatch to raise awareness in our community and across Colorado about abuse in later life. ElderWatch helps educate and empower older Coloradans to recognize, refuse and report fraud, scams, and financial exploitation.

• What: Elder Abuse Awareness Day
• When: Thursday, June 15
• Where: History Colorado Center (1200 Broadway, Denver)
• Registration: https://bit.ly/3C24SNo

Elder abuse is a problem that can happen to anyone and continues today. Elder abuse is often underreported with only one out of every 24 cases investigated by authorities; the rate is even less for financial exploitation. Boulder County is experiencing a demographic shift. The number of residents 80+ is currently just over 11,000 but is projected to increase to just over 38,000 by 2050. As our population lives longer, we are presented with an opportunity to think about our collective needs and future as a community.

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging will be collaborating with area partners in a social media campaign the week of June 11 through the 16 and the event on June 15 to raise awareness about abuse in later life. Follow the BCAAA’s Facebook page about future opportunities and resources for our community around elder abuse the week of June 12.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness. Abuse in later life has implications for all of us, WEAAD is a call-to-action for society’s individuals, organizations, and communities to educate each other on how to identify, address, and prevent abuse so we can all do our part to support everyone as we age.

For questions or additional information about the event, contact Erica Corson, BCAAA’s Elder Rights Program Manager, at 303-441-1170. Learn more at: https://bouldercounty.gov/families/seniors/services/elder-rights/.