Elder abuse is preventable and paying attention to warning signs in important to help stop elder abuse.
Warning signs of Elder Abuse
Common warning signs of elder abuse are changes in behaviour, like withdrawing and isolation. When someone who is normally socially active or who enjoys hobbies all of a sudden becomes quiet and reserved, this change in behaviour may point to an underlying problem.
Another sign of a potential problem is when someone who has started making frequent visits to an elder person, or who has moved in with the elder person, tells visitors the elder is unavailable; for example, the elder person is out at an appointment, sleeping, unwell, etc.
Other warning signs include:
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Changes in a person’s finances: sudden unexplained withdrawals of money from bank accounts; not receiving banking statements; transfer or withdrawal of funds without prior permission; a person is suddenly unable to pay bills, buy food, pay rent or utilities; suspicious signatures on cheques or other documents; or an unusual amount of banking activity, especially shortly after a joint account is set up or someone new starts helping with the senior’s finances.
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Changes in a person’s living arrangements: someone suddenly moving into a senior’s home; a senior’s house being suddenly sold or its ownership is transferred to another person; the person’s standard of living changes or is not in keeping with their income or assets.
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Changes in a person’s health and wellbeing: low self-esteem, tearfulness, and lack of eye contact with health care providers; fearfulness or nervousness around a caregiver or other persons; reluctance to talk openly, waiting for a caregiver to respond to questions asked of them; helplessness; insomnia, sleep deprivation, fatigue or listlessness; unexplained injuries such as broken bones, sprains and dislocations, bruises and abrasions, bumps, grip marks; untreated injuries; discrepancies between injury and explanation for how the injury happened; unusual patterns of injuries; older person is seen by different doctors or hospitals; signs of being restrained; inappropriate sexual comments; bruising around the breasts, inner thighs or genital area; unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; torn, stained, or bloody underclothing; or difficulty in walking or sitting.
Preventing Elder Abuse
Since the first step to prevention is education, the most important thing everyone can do to prevent elder abuse is to recognize the signs and learn the specific prevention strategies you can take depending on the situation and type of abuse occurring.
It takes a team approach to prevent elder abuse. There are steps that can be taken by older adults, their friends and family members, as well as their caregivers.
Preventative Actions for Seniors
The most important step you can take to prevent abuse is to communicate your wishes. It can be difficult to have conversations with loved ones about the kinds of medical treatments you might want or how you want people to treat you, but these conversations are extremely important to establishing your wishes with your loved ones. Decide who you want to make health care and financial decisions for you if you can’t and make sure your family and loved ones know of your decision.
Protecting Finances/Property
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Stay informed about your financial affairs
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Do not lend your bank card or give your PIN number to anyone
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Use direct deposit for cheques that you receive regularly, like the Canada Pension Plan or Old-Age Security.
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Have bills, such as your telephone or utilities bills, automatically paid from your bank account
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Do not sign any documents you do not understand or are under pressure to sign
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Seek independent advice from someone you trust before signing any documents
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Update your Will and Power of Attorney documents regularly, especially as relationships change
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Only grant a Power of Attorney to a person (or persons) that you know, trust, and that you know will respect your wishes
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Read all legal documents carefully, including the fine print
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Do not lend money without a formal payback schedule, unless it’s a gift
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Be careful when co-signing loans or signing over ownership of your home
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Ensure that property/materials which are borrowed are returned
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Keep your home secure and do not leave valuables or large amounts of cash around
Health and Wellbeing
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Take control of your own decisions and health care
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Think carefully before making changes to your living situation such as moving in with family or friends or having someone move into your home, especially if they promise to take care of you
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Plan for your future while you are independent and mentally capable. Have a Power of Attorney or a Living Will to express how you want to address your finances and health care decisions made to avoid confusion and family problems later
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Maintain contact with loved ones and connections with friends, family and support networks
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Stay active in the community – volunteer, go on outings with friends and visit neighbours. Isolation increases vulnerability to abuse.
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Seek alternative options for care, do not rely solely on family members for your care and social life
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Educate yourself about your rights and the signs to recognize elder abuse
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Have your own phone and open your own mail
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Ask for help when you need it
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Know what services are available in your community
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If you are not satisfied with care services you receive in your home or care facility, voice your concerns
Preventative Actions for Caregivers
Caring for a senior can be both rewarding and demanding. As the needs to the person increase, it can become overwhelming. When a caregiver has difficulty coping with the needs of the person for whom they are providing care, they can take out their frustrations on their loved one and act in an abusive manner even if they do not intend to do so.
Some actions that caregivers can take to prevent elder abuse are:
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Learn about the signs of elder abuse and neglect
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Treat all seniors with respect and dignity
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Maintain your own health and social connections
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Request help from friends, relatives, or local agencies, so you can take a break
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Inquire about adult day programs or respite care services
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Seek medical care or counselling to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression when necessary
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Participate in a support group for caregivers
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Call a telephone helpline (like the Seniors Safety Line) for access to information on local services or seek guidance on dealing with potential elder abuse
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Make arrangements for additional care, even if you feel the need to help your loved one yourself
Preventative Actions for Community Members
Preventing abuse is everyone’s responsibility. The community can help by taking an active role in the prevention of elder abuse.
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Become involved in your local elder abuse prevention committee or network
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Learn when, where and how to report abuse
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Engage in the planning of educational sessions on elder abuse, prevention and seniors rights.
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Connect with a senior friend, neighbour or relative to help them keep social connections
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Watch for warning signs and, if you suspect abuse, report it
Preventative Actions at St. Joseph’s Home Care
At St. Joseph’s Home Care, we have protocols in place to help staff identify and report elder abuse. These include:
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Fostering an environment that is free of abuse
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Providing a framework for responding to actual or suspected incidents of abuse reported by clients, staff and/or family
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Offering training for staff to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect.
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Having all new staff hired into positions where they will be providing direct care to seniors submit a Vulnerable Sector Police Screening
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Advocating for seniors and their families
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Being active members of the Hamilton Council on Aging (COA) and the Committee Against Abuse of Older Person (CAAOP)
Responding to Elder Abuse
Make a positive difference in a person’s life by reporting elder abuse. The steps you can take if you suspect abuse are:
Talk to the older adult. Wait for a time when you are alone and not likely to be interrupted. Describe what you saw using non-judgemental language. Ask caring questions and listen to the person’s experience.
Respect rights and personal values. Those rights include confidentiality, privacy, and self-determination. Mentally capable adults have the right to make decisions, including choices you might consider risky or unwise. It is ageist to assume that an older adult is not capable of making decisions for themselves.
Seek consent or permission. In most cases, you should get consent from an older adult before taking action. Ask them what they want you to do or how you can help and look for the least intrusive ways to offer help. If the person you are worried about doesn’t want to take action, respect their choice, but don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if the situation is dangerous.
Do not confront or accuse the abusive person. They may take it out on the older adult.
Stay connected. If the person you suspect is being abused chooses not to confront the situation, you can still be a support to this person by staying connected. If possible, help family caregivers find the resources and supports they need.
Document what you see.Write down any incidents or the causes for your suspicion of abuse and include the date and a description of what happened.
Written with resources from the Ontario Senior’s Secretariat and Elder Abuse Ontario.