World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Special

Be Bold: Voice, Dignity, and Aging with Attitude | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Special What does it mean to age with dignity, voice, and self-determination? In this special World Elder Abuse Awareness Day episode of Unscripted & Unstoppable, Laureen Quick is joined by three professionals working on the front lines of elder abuse awareness, prevention, and victim support: Trina Allen – Executive Director, Ada County Victim Services Center and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Chris Parish – Supervisor of Adult Protective Services, Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging Angie Hudson – Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Retired Therapist Together, they explore an issue that affects millions of older adults yet often remains hidden from view. This conversation goes beyond statistics and definitions. It explores the deeper questions of dignity, community, self-advocacy, aging, and what it means to ensure that older adults remain seen, heard, respected, and protected. The discussion includes: -What elder abuse is and the many forms it can take -Physical, emotional, financial, and neglect-related abuse -Why elder abuse is often underreported -The impact of ageism and invisibility -Warning signs families, friends, and neighbors should recognize -The importance of community and connection -How to advocate for yourself and others as we age -Practical resources available for support One of the most powerful themes to emerge from this conversation was the importance of voice. As Trina Allen shared: "Advocating for ourselves is not being unkind. It's actually being kind to ourselves." And as we discuss throughout this episode, every person—regardless of age—deserves dignity, autonomy, safety, and the opportunity to continue living a meaningful life. Resources Mentioned Ada County Victim Services Center: https://adacounty.id.gov/victimservices/ Ada County Victim Services Center Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Ada County Victim Services Center Instagram:   / acvscenter   Adult Protective Services (Idaho): https://aging.idaho.gov/stay-safe/adu... Idaho Area Agencies on Aging: https://aging.idaho.gov National Center on Elder Abuse: https://ncea.acl.gov ~Warning Signs of Elder Abuse~ Warning signs may include: Physical Abuse Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, welts, or injuries Emotional or Psychological Abuse Fearfulness Withdrawal Loss of confidence Caregivers who threaten, belittle, isolate, or control ~Financial Exploitation~ Unusual withdrawals from bank accounts Missing cash or valuables Sudden changes to wills, powers of attorney, or financial documents ~Neglect~ Malnutrition Poor hygiene Unsafe living conditions Untreated medical needs Social isolation ~About World Elder Abuse Awareness Day~ Observed annually on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day brings attention to the mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation of older adults around the world. The 2026 theme is: "Be Bold — Age with Attitude" A reminder that aging is not about becoming invisible. It is about continuing to live with dignity, purpose, autonomy, and voice. ~Connect with Laureen Quick~ Substack: https://laureenquick.substack.com Next Chapter Summit: https://nextchaptersummit.com If this conversation resonates with you, please share it with a friend, family member, caregiver, or community member. Awareness can make a difference—and sometimes one conversation can change a life. #WorldElderAbuseAwarenessDay #WEAAD #AgeWithAttitude #ElderAbuseAwareness #WomenOver50 #AgingWell #SelfAdvocacy #CommunityMatters #VoiceAndDignity #UnscriptedAndUnstoppable #LaureenQuick #NextChapterSummit