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World Elder abuse awareness day is observed every year on June 15, It represents the one day in the year when the world voices its opposition to the suffering inflicted to some of our older generation

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: Stand Against Nursing Home Neglect in Your Area

Each year on June 15, the world recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a day devoted to shedding light on a global but often overlooked issue: the mistreatment and neglect of older adults, especially in nursing homes. At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we represent families across Pasadena and Los Angeles County who are facing the devastating effects of nursing home abuse, neglect, and even wrongful death caused by negligent care. That’s part of the reason why we are proud to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. We want to help our community understand the importance of elder abuse awareness and know what to do if they suspect something is wrong, and this global awareness campaign is a strong starting point.

What Is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2006 to bring global attention to the physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse suffered by millions of elderly individuals each year. Many of these victims suffer in silence, unable—or too afraid—to speak out.

The day is a call to action. It challenges communities, caregivers, governments, legal advocates, and anyone else who will listen to take a stand against elder abuse and to protect the dignity and rights of older adults. While awareness is growing, nursing home abuse remains one of the most pervasive and underreported forms of elder abuse, especially in facilities where staff are overworked, undertrained, or negligent.

Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: The Hidden Epidemic

Elder abuse isn’t limited to physical violence, as many people might believe.

In nursing homes, abuse can take many forms, all of them dangerous, including:

  • Neglect: Failing to prevent falls, treat infections, or provide proper hygiene, among other failures.
  • Physical abuse: Rough handling, slapping, unsafe use of restraints, and so on.
  • Emotional abuse: Name-calling, threats, or intentional isolation from other nursing home residents
  • Sexual abuse: Unwanted or inappropriate touching, as well as sexual assault
  • Financial exploitation: Misusing a resident’s bank account or benefits, or directly stealing from their person or property

Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can lead to wrongful deaths, especially when basic medical care is ignored. Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bedsores, and preventable infections are common indicators of neglect or abuse that can become deadly if nothing is done.

How to Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

You can participate and raise awareness of elder abuse on June 15 by:

  • Checking in on elderly loved ones, especially those in care homes
  • Educating yourself on the warning signs of neglect and abuse
  • Reporting any suspicions to local Adult Protective Services or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  • Sharing resources and stories on social media to spread awareness
  • Attending local or virtual events focused on elder advocacy
  • Wearing purple, which was the campaign’s official color in many parts of the world

Elder abuse and neglect thrive in silence. Oftentimes, awareness is the first step toward change.

Local Spotlight: Elder Abuse in Pasadena and Los Angeles County

Elder abuse is not just a global or national issue. It’s happening in Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area, where our nursing home abuse attorneys of McGee Lerer Ogrin call home. Reports from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) show numerous facilities with substantiated complaints involving substandard care, negligence, and violations of residents’ rights. You can use the Cal Health Find database to review a facility’s inspection history, licensing status, and past citations by clicking here.

In many cases, though, repeated violations go unaddressed, and families only learn the truth after their loved one has suffered serious harm. If you have a loved one in a Pasadena nursing home, be proactive. Watch for red flags. If something feels off, it could be.

Legal Options for Families: How McGee Lerer Ogrin Can Help

When a nursing home violates its duty of care, families have the right to take legal action. Sometimes, an injury claim is the most direct way to not only secure justice for an injured loved one but also to prod a nursing home company to make important changes before anyone else is hurt.

At McGee Lerer Ogrin in Pasadena, we handle cases involving the following and more:

  • Nursing home negligence
  • Bedsores that should have been preventable
  • Medical neglect or delay in treatment
  • Abuse by staff or other residents
  • Falls and injuries due to lack of supervision
  • Wrongful death claims

Families often come to us when they notice bedsores, broken bones, unexplained bruises, weight loss, or emotional withdrawal, which could all be signs of serious problems within the assisted living facility. We help our clients investigate what happened, gather evidence, and pursue justice on behalf of their loved ones who oftentimes do not have the ability to bring a claim themselves.

Let’s Protect Our Elders Together

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminds us that our elders deserve compassion, dignity, and protection. If you believe your loved one may be a victim of abuse or neglect in a Pasadena nursing home, don’t wait. Speak up and remember that legal help is available.

At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we are committed to holding nursing homes accountable for abuse by helping families pursue justice. Contact us today by dialing (310) 231-9717 and ask for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.