If you have elderly parents or other loved ones, you’re probably starting to think a lot about their safety.
When we enter our golden years, we become more vulnerable than we’ve been since childhood. It can be scary for the elderly person and for anyone who loves them.
This is especially true when you hear stories on the news about elderly abuse. Unfortunately, these things happen because seniors are more susceptible to abuse.
But instead of spending time thinking about the dangers, let’s think about how we can avoid the risk.
Here are some tips about avoiding elderly abuse.
1. Research care
If you need to place your elderly loved one in someone else’s care, don’t take this decision lightly. It’s not necessarily about what’s geographically closer or more convenient, although those things are also important.
Look at reviews to learn about what other people have experienced there. Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings to see if anyone has filed complaints.
Don’t assume that a place is safe just because it’s still in business. Get more information from willenslaw.com ensuring safety at nursing homes.
2. Check-in often
There’s a sad truth about elderly abuse that we must all face. The more alone a senior seems, the more susceptible they are to abuse. Why? Because their abusers are more likely to get away with the abuse.
So whether your loved one is living in a facility or receiving care at home, be sure to check in on them as often as possible. Try to visit at least once a week, if at all possible.
Your mere presence will help keep your elderly loved ones safer. It won’t completely protect them from abuse, but it will make it more difficult for anyone to get away with abuse, which is a powerful deterrent.
3. Keep track of their finances
Financial abuse is a major concern with seniors because it often goes undetected. To keep your elderly loved one safe from financial abuse, be careful about the people you allow in this person’s life. Be wary of anyone who is in a financially questionable position, even if that person is a family member. Depending on the level of the elderly person’s awareness, you may want to take control of their finances or put someone trustworthy in charge.
4. Educate your elderly loved one
Talk to your elderly loved ones about the various types of abuse (physical, emotional, and financial) and how they may be susceptible. If they can recognize the signs of abuse, they are less likely to put up with it.
5. Let them know you’re there for them
Many times, seniors are victims of elder abuse because they feel they have no other options. Regardless of how independent these people were in their lives, they are likely feeling vulnerability as they get older. They may feel like they need their abuser, and so they remain silent about the abuse.
So it’s crucial that you let your loved ones know that you are there for them. If they are in a situation where they’re being abused, you can and will help them get out of it. Even if you think this goes without saying, have the conversation.
Elder abuse is so scary because we know how vulnerable our loved ones can be at this time. And we also know that this type of abuse often goes undetected, sometimes for years.
Whether your loved one is in a nursing home or receiving care in their own home, let them know that you’re doing what you can to keep them safe. They should feel safe talking to you about anything that happens during their day, but you must first start the conversation.