World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was developed and launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). Our Executive Director at that time, Alison Leaney, was invited to speak at the United Nations for the launch.

WEAAD activities are intended to bring greater recognition of abuse and neglect of older adults in British Columbia or wherever they live, and to highlight the need for prevention and community involvement in a response to the issue. We work to give abuse and neglect of seniors a relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the year and for years to come.

Below are some of the community events that BC Community Response Networks (BC CRNs) hosted to raise awareness on June 15th, 2021:


Abbotsford	Delivered 120 meals including a purple iced cupcake, a colouring sheet of an Iris, and pencil crayons to isolated older adults. The packages included BC CRN and WEAAD information.
Beaver Valley	Set up a WEAAD information table and handed out coffee and donuts.
Chinese	WEAAD videos, 100 care packages, Seniors First BC production of 3 videos, and 2 skits videos.
Coastal Coalition	Provided safe reliable transportation of patients and isolated seniors.
Cranbrook	Installed a bench and plaque along with planting a tree in honour of WEAAD.
Creston	150 goodie bags delivered to 150 seniors by volunteers and posted on social media platforms.
Golden	Stand Up & Speak Up increased the focus on anti-Asian attacks which have increased in the past year. A local Chinese restaurant provided dinners at a reduced cost.
Hope	Online events, organized weekly Story Walks in June, CRN swag and information baskets. Connection kits with handmade cards and materials delivered to isolated seniors in the community.
Houston	The CRN collected ‘Promises to the Elderly’ from local community members and gave gift bags in recognition of WEAAD.
Kamloops	Engaged with local media to bring WEAAD awareness to the community. Families received WEAAD postcards and vulnerable adults received a free meal with BC CRN swag and information materials.
Kitimat	Flowers, information, and swag provided to Elders, and an information table was set up at the Cornerstone.
Logan Lake	Offered bagged lunches, exercise in the park, and virtual BINGO.
Maple Ridge	Built community connections to prevent elder abuse with mini outdoor concerts at senior housing buildings. There was weekly online education workshops and the city hall was lit up in purple.
Nelson	Media Blitz – a full page coloured ad in the Pennywise which services 17 West Kootenay communities.
North Okanagan	Gatekeeper and Decision Tree presentations.
Prince Rupert	Delivered books, puzzles, art supplies, and food to retirement homes as well as educational material from BC CRN.
Saanich	Addressed issue of food security among seniors. A food donation drive with the Sidney Food Bank was held to increase food supply for vulnerable adults and those who donated food will received WEAAD goodie bag.
Salmo	A home cooked meal was delivered to seniors along with a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Salt Spring Island	Island wide mail out of Decision Tree and WEAAD poster.
Sea to Sky	Hosted an outdoor event in which seniors who use walkers had their walkers checked over by a medical supply company. WEAAD & BC CRN gift bags with resource materials were distributed along with refreshments.
Smithers	Collected ‘Promises to the Elderly’ from local community members and gave gift bags in recognition of WEAAD.
South Okanagan	Distributed WEAAD goodie bags, treats, and WEAAD information to 100 seniors in Osoyoos, Oliver, and Okanagan Falls.
Sparwood	Distributed BC CRN/WEAAD information to many seniors in the East Kootenays on June 15 and 16.
Vancouver – Renfrew Collingwood	Hired a shuttle bus for mobile outreach, and a movement and wellness coach delivered a session at the Frog Hollow House.
Victoria	Pop-up booths at various locations, interview on local TV station, outside WEAAD presentation for the New Seniors Group program, and the WEAAD flag flown at the Parliament Buildings.
Westshore	WEAAD displays at various locations, issued press releases, distributed gift bags & WEAAD awareness brochures.
White Rock	Offered an It’s Not Right! presentation to the members of the White Rock/South Surrey community via Zoom as part of their WEAAD activities.
Wii O’o’Niin	Distributed gift/information bags to 7 surrounding communities and collected members ‘Pathways to Promises.’