[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 87 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

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                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
sixth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
   In 2006, the International Foundation for the Prevention of Elder 
Abuse designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which 
recognizes elder abuse as a public health and human rights concern. 
Abusive acts toward the elderly can include physical and psychological 
abuse, physical restraint, deprivation of dignity and the choice of 
daily affairs, financial exploitation and neglect. The World Health 
Organization has reported that between four and six percent of elderly 
people worldwide have experienced some form of abuse in the home. 
Additionally, in the United States, thirty-six percent of nursing-home 
employees have witnessed at least one incident of physical abuse 
towards an elderly patient, while forty percent admitted to 
psychologically abusing patients.
   The abuse and neglect of older persons is a global problem, and yet 
it remains largely unrecognized and untreated. I join with the 
International Foundation for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and 
encourage all countries, communities, neighborhoods, and organizations 
to take part in today's efforts to raise awareness of this serious 
issue, with the goal of bringing about recognition for and ultimately 
an end to elder abuse and neglect.

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