WHEREAS, older adults contribute expertise, time, wisdom, and experience to our great State and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity; and

WHEREAS, June 15th marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults and recognize the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue; and

WHEREAS, the Elder Justice Coordinating Partnership was established in 2019 to raise awareness and to prevent and address elder abuse, leading to the development of Maine's Elder Justice Roadmap; and

WHEREAS, the Cabinet on Aging was established in 2022 in recognition that, as our population lives longer, we are presented with an opportunity to think about our collective needs and future as a State; and

WHEREAS, ageism and social isolation are major causes of elder abuse in the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is up to all of us to ensure that proper social structures exist so people can retain community and societal connections, reducing the likelihood of abuse; and

WHEREAS, preventing abuse of older adults through maintaining and improving supportive services, community engagement, and inclusion allows everyone to continue to live as independently as possible and contribute to the life and vibrancy of our communities; and

WHEREAS, a just society only exists when people can age with dignity and respect, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2024, as

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

in Maine, and I encourage us to stand together to prevent elder abuse by raising awareness, promoting education and valuing the contributions of older adults to the success and vitality of our State.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this fourteenth day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Four