Did you know that about 1 in 10 older adults will experience elder abuse at some point in their lives? And those are just the cases that we know about! A study out of New York found that for every elder abuse case known to programs and agencies, 23.5 were unknown. It’s estimated that only 1 in 14 elder abuse cases are reported to authorities. Observed on June 15th each year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a time for individuals and communities to learn about elder abuse and the steps we can all take to protect vulnerable community members. Today on the blog we’re going to outline five simple things we can all do to prevent elder abuse.
Learn the Signs
- Familiarize yourself with the Center for Elder Justice’s seven categories of elder abuse.
- The Senior Resource Connect Good Neighbor Training is an excellent tool to learn about the basics of abuse, how to report suspected abuse, and how to approach an older adult you suspect may be abused.
- The infographic below from the National Institute on Aging breaks down common signs of each category of abuse:
Check In
- Fight isolation by visiting your older loved ones- especially if they live alone. Even a phone call can help with isolation.
Volunteer
- Volunteer to interact with older adults who may not have any family. Friendly caller programs, friendly visitor programs, and volunteering at senior centers or senior living facilities are all great ways to connect with isolated seniors.
Share What You Learn
- The more people who know the signs of elder abuse, the larger the safety net for vulnerable older adults in your community.
- Share the signs of abuse, important phone numbers, and ways we can prevent elder abuse with your friends, family, and coworkers.
Act Fast
- Report elder abuse as soon as possible by calling Adult Protective Services at (855) 444-3911
- Nervous about making the call? Check out our guide to calling APS.
- If an older adult is in immediate danger, call 911.
Don’t Forget Caregivers
- Caregiving is a stressful job! Make sure to check in on caregivers and make sure they aren’t burned out.
- Connect caregivers with respite care or offer to help them find community resources for themselves or the older adult in their care.
Grow the Conversation. Grow the Change.
Each year, Catholic Charities Washtenaw County looks for a way to engage the community and observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This year, CCWC will participate in Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council’s Grow the Conversation campaign. This initiative has three parts:
- Growing the Conversation- reduce stigma surrounding elder abuse (and seeking help) by talking about elder abuse and resources for older adults with your family, friends, coworkers, and faith communities.
- Recognizing the Signs- learn and be aware of the signs of elder abuse so you can step in to help.
- Reducing the Risks- strengthen community support and empower older adults with resources and information.
This June, in recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, CCWC invites you to take part in our Conversation Tree. We will have a paper tree in our lobby and community members can add a leaf and add the ways that they are taking action against elder abuse. Each leaf represents a personal commitment, a simple action, a pledge, or a moment of reflection that helps prevent elder abuse and support older adults in our community.
By adding your leaf, you’re not just making a statement. You’re joining a growing movement. As our tree fills out, it shows how individual acts, when brought together, create something stronger, more visible, and more powerful.
Can’t make it to our building? You can submit your leaf idea virtually by clicking on this link.
We all have a role to play in building a more aging-friendly community.
