15/06/2026
Caring Hands International Stands Against Elder Abuse
Today, 15th June 2026, Caring Hands International joins the global community to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) — a day set aside by the United Nations to raise our collective voices against the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons.
At Caring Hands International, we believe that every elder deserves to age with dignity, safety, and love. Yet, across communities, many older adults suffer in silence from physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 people aged 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year. This is not just a statistic — it is a call to
action.
Why This Day Matters to Us
Our work at Caring Hands International brings us face-to-face with the realities of aging in Nigeria and beyond. We see the grandmother who is isolated and denied food, the elderly father whose pension is taken without consent, the widow accused of witchcraft and abandoned. These are not distant stories. They are happening in our neighborhoods, often behind closed doors.
Elder abuse is any action or lack of action that causes harm to an older person. It includes:
• Physical abuse – inflicting pain or injury • Emotional abuse – insults, threats, humiliation • Financial exploitation – misuse of an elder’s money or property • Neglect – failing to provide food, shelter, or medical care • Abandonment – desertion by caregivers Our Commitment: From
Awareness to Action
This year’s WEAAD, Caring Hands International reaffirms its commitment to protect and uplift our elders through:
Advocacy & Education
We have been having community sensitization programs from time to time to teach families, caregivers, and youths how to recognize signs of elder abuse and report them. Knowledge saves lives.
2. Safe Reporting Channels
We encourage anyone who suspects elder abuse to speak up. You can reach Caring Hands International on our contact 07062962994 Silence protects the abuser, not the abused.
3. Care & Support Services
Our “Adopt A Grandparent” initiative provides home visits, medical checks, nutrition support, and companionship to vulnerable elders. This
June, our volunteers will be conducting home visits and spending quality time with some of the elders in our network.
4. Intergenerational Dialogue
Today we are launching — a social media campaign We encourage our young people to share stories and lessons from their grandparents. Respect starts with listening.
How You Can Help
You don’t need to be an NGO to make a difference:
• Check in: Visit or call an elderly neighbor or relative today. • Listen: Take time to hear their concerns without judgment. • Report: If you see or suspect abuse, report it to local authorities or to us. • Volunteer: Join Caring Hands International in our outreach programs. • Give: Support our elder care programs with your time, skills, or donations.
A Message to Our Elders
To every grandmother, grandfather, auntie, and uncle under our care: You are seen. You are valued. You are loved. Your wisdom built our communities, and your dignity is non-negotiable. Caring Hands International will continue to stand as your voice, your shield, and your family.
As we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2026, let us all remember: The measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Together, we can end elder abuse.
Happy World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
From all of us at
Caring Hands International
Caring for the hands that cared for us
