World Elder Abuse Awareness Day/Month Events Held in Kings and Tulare Counties

June was World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and Health & Human Services Agency participated by planting flags in front of Government Plaza in Visalia on May 30.

County leaders encouraged community members to wear purple on June 15, which is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older persons.

On June 15, the Kings County Commission on Aging held a World Elder Abuse Awareness Event at their senior center in Armona. The free event featured informational booths, food, games, prizes and a performance by "Elvis."

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.

The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes that affect it.

Purple, traditionally associated with royalty, dignity and respect, was chosen as the color to describe elders.