Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, launched 10 years ago by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the United Nations. It's purpose: To remind the world of the need to protect every senior citizen from physical, emotional, financial and, even sexual abuse.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, based in Alhambra, Calif., one in 10 Americans age 60 and older experience some form of abuse over the course of a year. One in two adults with dementia have been victimized.

“Older people are vital, contributing members of our society,” noted Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging and administrator of the Administration for Community Living. “The abuse or neglect of any one of them diminishes us all.”