Elder Abuse – How Can Elderly Abuse be Prevented?

Elder abuse is the most sensitive matter that requires priority concerning the senior citizens in our community. This would involve all malicious actions toward aged Australians and include a plethora of destructive behaviours resulting in very devastating physical and monetary impacts.

This blog aims to raise public awareness about elder abuse and suggest practical steps to Abuse Prevention.

Types of Elder Abuse –

Elder abuse can occur in the following forms:

1. Physical: The application of injury by hitting or pushing one’s body and restraint.

2. Psychological: This includes all forms of verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, or isolation.

3. Financial: Wrong usage of an elderly person’s money or property. It can include crimes such as theft, fraud, or undue influence to change the will.

4. Neglect: Proper care is concerned with food, shelter, medical attention, and personal hygiene.

5. Sexual: Any unwanted sexual contact.

Who is at risk?

While elder abuse may affect any older person, a number of risk factors may dramatically increase the risk of such exploitation. The risk factor with perhaps the highest influence is social isolation, which reduces the levels of external oversight and support mechanisms that otherwise prevent abuse.

Cognitive impairment or dementia complicates matters in that it renders elderly people incapable of recognizing, remembering, or reporting abuse.

How to Prevent Elder Abuse?

Preventing elder abuse requires a community-wide effort. Here are some key steps we can all take:

1. Educate Yourself

The first step in preventing elder abuse is understanding the varied types and warning signs. Educate yourself regarding the various types of elder abuse and learn how to know when something is amiss. Seek credible sources such as government websites, aged care organizations, and community resources for information. This information must be shared with family, friends, and neighbours to build an informed and vigilant community.

2. Remain Engaged and Prevent Social Isolation

Elder abuse is highly related to the risk factor of social isolation. The lack of opportunity for others to identify signs of abuse will diminish through reduced interaction with others. Promote social contact regularly among the elderly.
This can include attending community groups and social activities, keeping in contact with family and friends, and using technology to stay in touch with others when it is difficult to get together. Companionship can also greatly benefit older neighbours and friends and reduce vulnerability.

3. Ensure Financial Security and Independence

Economic abuse is common among elderly individuals. Equip them with information about common scams to guard against the pressure exerted by family members or relatives seeking to tap into their available financial resources.

4. Encourage Open Communication

Create a safe and supportive environment in which older adults feel comfortable talking about their concerns. Encourage open and honest communication. If an older person expresses worries or discloses experiences of abuse, listen attentively and without judgment. Reassure them that they are not alone and help is available. If you find such issues, you can seek help from Abuse Compensation Claim Lawyers Perth.

5. Support carers and respite

Caring for a frail older person can be physically and emotionally trying. When a carer gets burnt out, it can increase the risk of negligent or harmful treatment. To end this, support for family carers and the provision of respite are highly desirable. Support would include actual hands-on help with many of the tasks involved in caring, input into support groups and available resources, and regular rests to prevent burnout.

6. Understand the warning signs

Knowing the warning signs of elderly abuse is an appeal for intervention early on. Look for unexplained injury or bruises, sudden changes in behaviour or mood, withdrawal from social activities, financial discrepancies or unusual transactions, poor hygiene, and neglect of personal care.

7. Report Suspected Abuse

If you suspect any form of abuse, take appropriate action. If it poses an immediate risk or involves crime, contact the police. You can file a complaint with the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner by seeking assistance from Personal Injury Lawyer Perth.

Conclusion

Prevention of elder abuse should be every individual’s responsibility. Public awareness and social connections could help prevent elder abuse from harming old Australians. If you suspect someone is suffering from elder abuse, seek help with the assistance of Personal Injury Lawyers. Your actions may save an older person.