Question

6. What processes or procedures are necessary to safeguard E.A. from experiencing further elder abuse? (Be specific as to policy and agencies that need to be contacted – in what order of importance?) Book: Gerontology for the Healthcare Professional

Answer 1

Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. There are different types of abuse :-

- Physical abuse

- Verbal abuse

- Financial abuse

- Sexual abuse

- Mental abuse

The processes or procedures necessary to safeguard elder adults from abuse are :-

- Love and cherish older adults

- Speak respectfully to the older adults

- Include older adults in the social activities

- Phone or visit your older relatives

- Support older adults to spend their money as their wish

- Encourage older adults to make their own decisions

- Honour older adults wisdom

- Enable older people to set their own pace

- Respect older adults stories

- Seek advice from an Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services.

Further steps :-

Avoid isolating elders. This can cause depression, sadness and loneliness that will increase the chances of neglect or abuse.

Stay in touch with your elders. Family members can help care for the elderly person and be on the lookout for changes that may suggest abuse.

Keep elders active. By staying active in old age, this can prolong an elder’s life and decrease the chances that they will be vulnerable to elder abuse.

Encourage elders to attend religious services and community activities. This can help them stay in touch with things that have been important to them throughout their life.

Don’t allow elders to live with someone who is known to be abusive or violent. Once a person has a history of violence, they are likely to repeat that behavior again, especially when someone is vulnerable.

Be wary of caregivers or friends needing financial help, or those who have issues with illicit drugs. These are people who may manipulate an elder and steal or mismanage finances.

Elders should be aware of their own financial affairs. Elders may require the help of a trusted relative or friend to manage their money, but ultimately they should be the sole one in control of finances.

Don’t allow a caretaker or family member to impulsively alter an elder’s will, or add their names to financial accounts or land titles. These are people who put an elder at risk for financial exploitation.

Inform elders to be wary of solicitations from the telephone, internet or mail. These are likely to be scams designed to steal an elderly person’s money.