June 15th | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
- Charmica Epps Harris
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
In the United States, hundreds of thousands of people aged 60 and over are abused each
year (National Institute of Health). It occurs in all social classes, religions, races, genders, and
geographic areas. The abuse includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment. It can happen in the home or nursing home and be caused by strangers, care providers, friends, or family members. It has a profound adverse effect on health outcomes for older adults. Vashon Island’s large senior population (29.3% according to 2020 census information), combined with its rural environment and limited resources, makes it particularly vulnerable to elder abuse.
Isolation, physical disabilities, cognitive difficulties, caregiver burden, and lack of access
to services all create greater vulnerability. Protective factors include social connectedness, access to healthcare and social services, education, planning for future needs, and community awareness.
The Vashon DOVE Project often sees community members who are concerned about
their elderly friends or neighbors. Yet often the elders themselves are reluctant to self-report, for a myriad of reasons. They may not recognize their experience as abuse. They may be wary of reporting the one person who they depend on, especially if that person is a son or daughter. Many elders feel shame and concern about what other community members may think of them. There could be fear of upending their lives if an abusive caregiver can no longer care for them and they need to relocate, especially because there is no assisted living facility or nursing home on Vashon. “More isolated older adults who lack alternative options for care and support may choose to tolerate mistreatment by a close friend or relative instead of reporting abuse to (2) authorities and risking leaving their homes or communities to receive care elsewhere” (Henning-Smith et al, 2025).
Fortunately, there is a network of organizations such as DOVE to provide services to
elders in the community and create protective factors for this population. The Vashon Senior
Center provides a safe and stimulating place for elders to eat meals and join together for
activities. The Vashon Care Network helps connect seniors to services such as caregivers,
healthcare, and medical supplies to help them live independently. The Village to Village program helps seniors with errands, household tasks, transportation, and meal delivery. Old Friends provides care to seniors so their caregivers can have some respite. The Vashon Island Fire and Rescue now has two social workers who can respond to the urgent needs of seniors as part of its Mobile Integrated Health program.
There is a strong community value on Vashon of helping one’s neighbors. The island’s
“social cohesion may increase the likelihood of detecting the signs of elder mistreatment and even prevent mistreatment from occurring” (Henning-Smith et al, 2025). Many older residents contribute to the community in the form of volunteerism. There is a spirit of togetherness and collaboration here on Vashon. There are financial resources here that provide an opportunity for more sustainable fundraising and community resources. Communities that prioritize prevention and protective factors and work across disciplines to come up with solutions have higher success in reducing rates of abuse.
In summary, elder abuse is a global issue that is only going to increase as the number of
older adults increases. It is an issue that affects rural communities such as Vashon Island in
significant and unique ways. Creating awareness of the problem is the first step in reducing
abuse. There is an opportunity on Vashon for a collaborative response from local organizations (3)such as DOVE to reduce elder abuse through continued awareness, education, reporting, advocacy, and prevention, using the many strengths we contain in our community.
What to do if you suspect abuse:
Call the DOVE advocacy line at: (206) 462-0911
Call Vashon Fire and Rescue: Emergency: 911/Non-Emergency: 206-463-2405
Call Adult Protective Services or make an online report: 1-877-734-6277 or Report Online
More resources:
Adult Protective Services - WA DSHS
King County Elder Abuse Council
Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative
Elder Justice Road Map
National Center on Elder Abuse
Info on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) - June 15th
Trainings & Resources
References
Henning-Smith, C., Jacobson, I., Bailey, D., Lahr, M., Swendener, A., & DeLiema, M. (2025)
Rural-Urban Differences in the Prevalence and Correlates of Elder Mistreatment.
Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 10.1177/07334648251411579.
National Institute of Health (n.d.). Elder Abuse. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-
abuse/elder-abuse
United States Census Bureau (n.d.) Quick Facts: Vashon CDP, Washington.
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