PROTECTING THE ELDERLY – IDENTIFYING AND PREVENTING ELDERLY ABUSE

 

Protecting the Elderly – Identifying and Preventing Elderly Abuse

Our senior population continues to grow rapidly, yet elderly abuse

remains an often overlooked issue. A recent study from CDC high

lighted that 10% of senior citizen in the United States have experienced

some form of neglect or elder abuse in their lives. It includes exploitation.

physical, sexual, and even emotional abuse. It can occur at the hands

of family, caretakers, nursing homes, and predatory scammers.

If we can act together, we can identify and prevent elderly abuse. Let’s

learn more about how we can do it.

How do we identify elderly abuse?

the first key to preventing elder abuse is learning how to identify the

signs. Here are some of the ways how you can identify elderly abuse.

⦁ Look for physical injuries or signs of neglect

Unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, burns, or bedsores could

indicate physical abuse. Lack of hygiene, unattended health issues,

and unsafe living conditions point to neglect.

⦁ Notice emotional and behavioral signs

Withdrawal, fear, anxiety, depression, or sudden changes in personality

or temperament might stem from emotional/psychological

mistreatment.

⦁ Spot potential financial exploitation

Missing money/valuables, unpaid bills, unusual ATM withdrawals, and

sudden adding of names on bank or social security accounts could

expose financial abuse.

⦁ Observe interactions with caregivers

Demeaning, indifferent, threatening, or controlling behaviors by family

members or home assistants towards an elder might reflect an abusive

relationship dynamic. Some examples of inappropriate caregiving include:

⦁ Belittling, indignant tone, or outright threats

⦁ Excessive control over choices, movements

⦁ Lack of affection or poor eye contact

⦁ Rough physical handling

How to prevent elderly abuse?

Preventing elderly abuse starts with building strong support systems

within our local communities. Here are five proven methods to

prevent elderly abuse within the communities we live in.

⦁ Support elders’ social connections

Isolated seniors are at higher risk. This is why you should help increase

engagement in community groups and social support services. Some

of the most effective ways to do this would be through facilitating

friend visits and video calls.

⦁ Offer respite for family caregivers

Caretaking produces major stress that can precipitate abuse. Respite

care services allow temporary relief. You can think about offering

our help to arrange more affordable respite programs. Along with

that, you may also share community respite resources with the elderly.

⦁ Educate family and formal caregivers

Provide training on abuse signs, self-care, and coping with demands

—for relatives and nursing home/assisted living staff. You can also

think about sharing knowledge on abuse risks and coping strategies.

On top of that, always model good caregiving behaviors for all

caregivers.

⦁ Encourage facilities reporting

Ensure managers adhere to mandatory abuse reporting and maintain

staff sufficiency. You will also need to advocate for state laws that

mandate reporting. In case you observe any issues, you will need

to go ahead and speak up to managers.

⦁ Advocate for more resources

Lobby representatives for policies and programs enabling seniors

to live safely and with dignity. Alongside, you may raise awareness 

through campaigns and petitions. If there is a need, you can call for

stronger abuse prevention policies as well.

⦁ Speak up right away

Report even just suspected mistreatment to Adult Protective Services

so concerns can be investigated promptly. Early intervention is key.

After you report, it is also important to follow up. Then you can make

sure that proper investigation occurs to prevent elderly abuse in the

future.

Safeguarding the well-being of the elderly

Our growing elderly population has so much wisdom and

experience to contribute to society. In other words, they

help make this world better. Hence, it is our responsibility to ensure

dignity and safety for the elderly generations. With compassion and

vigilance, we can prevent situations where the elderly suffer mistreatment.