06/10/2026
PLEASE READ!
From Missouri Department of Health and Senior services
In recognition and support of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, community members are encouraged to wear purple on Wednesday, June 10, for the statewide World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk.
Monday, June 15, marks a very special day – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This is a global awareness day officially introduced by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006 and recognized as a United Nations Observance in 2011 by the World Health Organization. This important day is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. It is observed every year to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding and increased awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
We know that no community or country in the world is immune from the mistreatment of older adults. In Missouri, DHSS receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, bullying and exploitation involving seniors and adults with disabilities living in the community and in facilities. Last year, DHSS received 43,208 reports, an average of about 118 each day. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported to the authorities, as many as 23 cases go unreported.
Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) invites you to wear purple anytime throughout the month of June to commemorate this important event and raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation in later life. The color purple has been adopted as the symbol to raise awareness of elder abuse and the effects of abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation in later life.
Each year the Department displays outdoor banners to support WEAAD and promote Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline. The banners will be displayed at the Wildwood campus buildings in Jefferson City as well as the Truman Building. Pinwheels are also placed in the ground surrounding the banners at the Wildwood campus. You will find throughout the state, yard signs and purple pinwheels as we continue to spread awareness of this important campaign. Our social media department also takes part in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by promoting awareness on our X page (), Instagram (healthylivingmo), and Facebook (Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services) accounts.
Ways You Can Participate:
Wear purple and post to social media using hashtag !
Walk for WEAAD by joining a walk in your area or creating one. Join the DHSS Jefferson City Walk for WEAAD on the Greenway, June 10, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you are in Jefferson City at 11:15 a.m., come join DHSS and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick our Walk for WEAAD off on the right foot! It will take place near the intersection of Wildwood and Edgewood.
Tell us “why” you support elders by printing and completing the sign. Snap a high quality, vertical photo and send it to [email protected] by June 11 to be featured online! Individual (not group) photos will be accepted for this project.
Display a WEAAD yard sign and/or window cling. Order promotional materials by visiting Health.Mo.Gov/weaad.
Wear purple and take a photo: Send photos to [email protected] to be featured on the DHSS WEAAD Flickr album.
Register for a WEAAD webinar event on our website at Health.Mo.Gov/weaad.
This year, we are offering to share some of our resources with you and show you how you can display them in your respective places of business.
We have the following promotional items available:
WEAAD poster boards can be displayed in the lobbies of your buildings throughout the month of June.
WEAAD window clings can be displayed in your automobiles or office windows.
WEAAD banners can be displayed outside your buildings.
WEAAD yard signs - if you cannot display banner, use the yard signs instead.
Purple pinwheels can be displayed in the grass surrounding your buildings or yards.
We would love to send you these materials to help promote WEAAD! We have included some photos to give you an idea of how to use the materials.
If you are interested in receiving any WEAAD materials, please let me know what and the quantity by Monday, June 8th.
As the leader in promoting, partnering, and protecting the health of Missouri citizens we urge every Missourian to take this opportunity to help educate our communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals about elder abuse. To report adult abuse, neglect, bullying, or exploitation, call the department’s hotline (800-392-0210), 7 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may utilize Relay Missouri 1-800-735-2966. You may also report online 24/7 at Health.Mo.Gov/abuse.
For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, please visit our website at Health.Mo.Gov/weaad.
Thank you for your continued efforts in supporting the lives of our older adults!
