[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9295 of June 12, 2015

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For 10 years, Americans have marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by
joining with individuals worldwide to take a stand against elder abuse,
neglect, and exploitation. Often under-identified and under-reported,
elder abuse is a public health crisis that crosses all socioeconomic
lines, and it is an affront to human rights around the world. Today, we
once again take this opportunity to raise awareness of this injustice,
and with the international community, we recommit to ending this abuse,
supporting those who are victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.
Every year, millions of older Americans experience abuse, neglect, or
exploitation. They are our friends and neighbors, and our parents,
grandparents, and loved ones, and we must do more to change this
unacceptable reality. Elder abuse can take many forms--including
physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, abandonment,
and financial exploitation--and it is important for all Americans to
learn how to recognize and report mistreatment. The way we treat our
older citizens reflects our values as a society, and it is our shared
responsibility to ensure all our seniors receive the support and
protection they deserve. To find out more and to learn what you can do
to combat elder abuse, visit www.NCEA.AOA.gov.
My Administration is committed to protecting and empowering our Nation's
older Americans so they can live out their years with dignity and
independence. Through the Affordable Care Act, we enacted the Elder
Justice Act, which authorized important new initiatives to prevent elder
abuse. We have worked tirelessly to strengthen and protect the programs
that provide essential support, quality care, and economic security to
our seniors, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and
Social Security. And to help safeguard those who responsibly prepare for
retirement from financial exploitation, I have called for new rules to
require financial advisors to put their clients' interests before their
own.
The Federal Government is working with non-profit and private sector
leaders, as well as State, local, and tribal governments to provide
education, outreach, and resources that help older Americans live safe
and productive lives. As part of my Administration's efforts to address
these critical issues, next month I will host the White House Conference
on Aging. Connecting older Americans, their families, care

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givers, advocates, community leaders, and experts, the Conference will
be an important opportunity to continue our efforts to promote healthy
aging, provide long-term services and support, defend retirement
security, and protect older Americans from abuse in all its forms.
After a lifetime of contributions to their families, their communities,
and our world, older Americans deserve to live free from harm and abuse.
As a society, we must lift up our seniors by advancing policies of
inclusion and combating ageism wherever it exists. On World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day, let us join with law enforcement officials, adult
protective services professionals, health and human services providers,
neighbors, caregivers, and community leaders to strengthen our long-term
care systems and redouble our efforts to build communities that
safeguard our elders and support long and healthy lives for all people
throughout the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2015, as
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all Americans to observe
this day by learning the signs of elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation, and by raising awareness about this important public
health issue.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA