Home Helpers

Preventing elder abuse and neglect

Preventing elder abuse means doing three things:

• Listening to seniors and their caregivers
• Intervening when you suspect elder abuse
• Educating others about how to recognize and report elder abuse

What you can do as a caregiver to prevent elder abuse

If you're overwhelmed by the demands of caring for an elder, do the following:

• Request help, from friends, relatives, or local respite care agencies, so you can take a break, if only for a couple of hours.
• Find an adult day care program.
• Stay healthy and get medical care for yourself when necessary.
• Adopt stress reduction practices.
• Seek counseling for depression, which can lead to elder abuse.
• Find a support group for caregivers of the elderly.
• If you're having problems with drug or alcohol abuse, get help.

And remember, elder abuse helplines offer help for caregivers as well. Call a helpline if you think there's a possibility you might cross the line into elder abuse.

What you can do as a concerned friend or family member

• Watch for warning signs that might indicate elder abuse. If you suspect abuse, report it.
• Take a look at the elder's medications. Does the amount in the vial jive with the date of the prescription?
• Watch for possible financial abuse. Ask the elder if you may scan bank accounts and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
• Call and visit as often as you can. Help the elder consider you a trusted confidante.
• Offer to stay with the elder so the caregiver can have a break - on a regular basis, if possible.

Protecting yourself, as an elder, against elder abuse

• Make sure your financial and legal affairs are in order. If they aren't, enlist professional help to get them in order, with the assistance of a trusted friend or relative if necessary.
• Keep in touch with family and friends and avoid becoming isolated.
• If you are unhappy with the care you're receiving, whether it's in your own home or in a care facility, speak up. Tell someone you trust and ask that person to report the abuse, neglect, or substandard care to an elder abuse helpline or long-term care ombudsman, or make the call yourself.