Salt Lake City—World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, was launched in 2006, in part, by the World Health Organization. It was officially recognized through a UN resolution in 2011. Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill held a press conference in conjunction with The Neighborhood House, and Sandy City Police Detective to raise awareness about elder abuse.
Between 2023 and 2025, the most frequently charged elder abuse by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office involved intentional abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults and aggravated abuse of vulnerable adults. While financial exploitation cases represented a smaller share of filings, prosecutors noted that those cases often involve substantial financial losses and can leave victims without the resources they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Utah is a mandatory reporter state. This means that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited must immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement office. If what you see is an emergency, please call 911, you can also report suspected abuse directly to Utah’s hotline to report abuse/neglect of seniors and adults with disabilities, which is 800-371-7897 (M-F, 8a-5p). You can also report it online 24/7 at https://daas.utah.gov/adult-protective-services/.
There are ways to help prevent abuse from happening, including keeping the elderly loved ones in your life connected to their community through regular social engagement. Visiting a local Salt Lake County Senior Center is a powerful way to stay connected and engaged, or visiting the Adult Day Care offered by the Neighborhood House, an organization that has existed for more than 130 years serving Utah. The county senior centers and the neighborhood house provide social support, nutrition, activities, and wellness resources that help protect against isolation and neglect. Another way to prevent elder abuse is to be sure you are checking on the seniors in your life regularly, not just over an audio phone call, but through physical visits or video phone calls so you can see them and perhaps notice any signs of abuse or neglect.
"Our seniors deserve to live with dignity, safety, and respect. Too often, abuse, neglect, and exploitation occur behind closed doors and remain hidden from view. One of the most effective ways we can protect vulnerable adults is by staying connected to them, checking in regularly, and recognizing the signs that something may be wrong,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “ If you suspect abuse or neglect, please report it. By working together as families, neighbors, and communities, we can help ensure that our older adults remain safe, supported, and valued."