6 Guaranteed Methods to Protect Seniors from Abuse
Seniors are some of society’s most valuable members. Then providing a safe environment for them is necessary. Abus has been one of the most sensitive issues in recent years. Luckily many organizations that work on humanity projects are focused on this subject now. Since senior abuse is an important subject, the united nation has designated June 15 as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
“Older people have the same rights to life and health as everyone else; difficult decisions around life-saving medical care must respect the human rights and dignity of all,” said Antonio Guterres, the UN chief
In many countries, the elderly population is growing these days rapidly. Due to this fact, many organizations have decided to focus on elder issues such as abuse.
Protect Seniors from Abuse
Each year, the United Nations runs programs to teach new techniques for communicating with seniors and protecting them from serious problems. Before we start protecting seniors, we should learn about the types of abuse that seniors may experience and then instruct them to know their rights and choices.
Senior abuse included physical, financial, sexual, and emotional factors. Some seniors who have problems walking or speaking are most vulnerable to abuse. Their family and friends have a more sensitive responsibility to protect their beloved in these circumstances.
Great Methods for Protecting Seniors from Abuse
We are especially vulnerable to abuse as we age. Abuse reduces seniors life quality. Join us and learn how to protect aging adults.
1- Stay in Contact with Seniors
Humans are social creatures; we cannot tolerate long periods of loneliness. Try spending time with your parents. If they live in another city or far from your home, you can plan to visit them repeatedly or invite them to your house. These days, technology solves many problems, and you can avoid loneliness in seniors by using technology.
You can talk with your family every day and connect through video calls. But remember, seniors need to contact their grandchild too. This subject will be significant when seniors face mental problems such as Alzheimer’s.
2- Teach Them the Human Rights
Human rights should be taught in every era and at every level of education. Human rights go far beyond equality between people. We are also subject to human rights no matter how old we are, no matter what our gender or race is. Our elderly members of society also have rights. It is important that we educate our family members about their rights as well.
We should teach our children to respect seniors as well. The elderly should also contribute to society by taking classes to learn new things or joining groups that work together on events like sports. It is a good idea to involve seniors in activities like this so that they become strong and productive.
In how to teach the kids to respect elders article, you will find tips that will help your children respect seniors. As with human rights, we can reinforce connections between elders and children.
3- Protect Seniors
In the case your parents require a nurse, check the nurse’s experience and the company that provides the service. After that, you should visit them regularly to monitor their condition. A good psychotherapist can set up a routine program for seniors to check their mental health as well. Financial security is another factor that impacts the quality of life of seniors. You can protect your parents’ assets by opening a long-term account for them in the bank.
In addition, your parents will gain a good return on their investment. This will help you protect your parents from financial exploitation.
You’ll find the state-specific phone numbers and required information at the end of the article.
4- Culturize
Creating a good cultural framework is crucial. Organizations can accomplish more when they have a good cultural framework. For example, you can suggest annual programs in schools or universities to run a celebration for international grandparents’ day. In this way, children will become familiar with the elder’s issues, and seniors can have fun with their grandchild. Also, we can get help from communities, social groups or religious unions to inform people about elder abuse in their cultural programs or websites.
5- Use New Therapies
Using new methods, therapists today help seniors increase their abilities. For example, they found that adopting pets is a good way for seniors to live healthier lives and socialize. Our parents will live a better retirement life if we improve their abilities. They will also be less likely to face abuse.
Humans enjoy pets; they are cute and cuddly and provide joy for us, regardless of age. By doing so, seniors are more likely to maintain their health. After some medical tests, we can adopt homeless dogs and cats and give them a new life.
6- Group Activities
Children and senior parents can engage in group activities together, such as light mountain climbing or camping. This way, we can enjoy ourselves together, reduce our parents’ stress and loneliness, and encourage some charities to conduct tours for seniors. For example, they are jugging tours or cooking tours. In these tours, seniors can compete with each other and have a fun time with their competitors while showing society that they still can manage their bodies and minds.
Taking part in group activities keeps seniors’ minds active, which keeps them safe from abuse. In suitable sports and exercises for seniors, you can select your favourite sports program and design a great plan with your partners or friends.
Final words
Like many social issues, we need help from different groups for elder abuse. It is crucial to keep close contact with our parents and keep emergency numbers close for dangerous situations, such as elder abuse. Remind yourself that enhancing the elder’s abilities will enable them to live a more fulfilled life and enjoy their golden years.
Let us know your unique ways of preventing elderly abuse or if you have ever been subjected to such behaviours. Remember, knowledge is power.
Supportive Center for Seniors in Each State of Canada |
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| States | Services | Phone numbers | Details |
| Alberta | |||
| Family violence info line | Advice and referrals | 310-1818 | – |
| Safeguards for vulnerable adults information and reporting line | Repost the abuse an adult | 1-888-357-9339 | – |
| British Columbia | |||
| VictimLINK | Helpline for victims | 1-800-563-0808 | – |
| Seniors health care support line | Report concerns | 1-877-952-3181 | – |
| Seniors abuse and information line | Consulting adults | 1-866-437-1940 | – |
| Public guardian and trustee of BC | Help seniors | 1-800-663-7867 | – |
| Manitoba | – | ||
| Seniors abuse support line | – | 1-888-896-7183 | – |
| Protection for persons in care office | Protect adults from abuse | 1-866-440-6366 | – |
| New Brunswick | |||
| Department of Social Development | Adult protection | 1-866-444-8838 | – |
| Chimo helpline | Crisis helpline | 1-800-667-5005 | – |
| Seniors Information Line | General information | 1-855-550-0552 | – |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | |||
| Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) | Information on violence | 1-855-376-4957 | – |
| Regional Health Authorities | 709-786-5245 | Intervention and referral | – |
| Royal Newfoundland Constabulary | 1-800-363-4334 | – | – |
| Emergency Contacts | CALL 9-1-1 | – | – |
| Seniors Resource Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador | 1-800-563-5599 | General information about abuse or neglect | – |
| Northwest Territories | |||
| Family violence crisis line | Emergency protection | 1-866-223-7775 | – |
| Seniors information line | – | 1-800-661-0878 | – |
| Regional Health and Social Service Authorities | – | 867-777-8000 | – |
| Sutherland House Crisis Telephone Line | Personal problems | 1-877-872-5925 | – |
| Nova Scotia | |||
| Seniors abuse information line – information on abuse and referrals | – | 1-877-833-3377 | – |
| Seniors information line – general information and referrals | – | 1-800-670-0065 | – |
| Adult protection services and protection for persons in care | General protection | 1-800-225-7225 | – |
| Nunavut | |||
| Seniors support phone line | Counselling for Seniors | 1-866-684-5056 | – |
| Ontario | |||
| Elder Abuse Ontario | Prevention of elder abuse | 416-916-6728 | – |
| Ontario 211 | Crisis services | 211 | – |
| Victim support line | Information and referrals | 1-888-579-2888 | – |
| Seniors Safety Line | Information and referrals | 1-866-299-1011 | – |
| Long-Term Care ACTION Line | For concerns | 1-866-434-0144 | – |
| Retirement homes regulatory authority | To file a report of harm | 1-855-275-7472 | – |
| Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee | Public Guardian | 1-800-366-0335 | – |
| Assaulted women’s helpline | Help women | 1-866-863-0511 | – |
| Fem’aide | – | 1-877-336-2433 | French services |
| Ontario seniors’ secretariat | – | 1-888-910-1999 | – |
| Prince Edward Island | |||
| Adult Protection Program | Protection adults | 902-368-4790 | – |
| PEI family violence prevention services | 24-hour crisis and support | 1-800-240-9894 | – |
| Seniors Secretariat | General information | 1-866-770-0588 | – |
| Victim services | For seniors and families | 902-368-4582 |
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|
| Québec | |||
| Ligne Aide Abus Aînés | – | 1-888-489 | French only |
| Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels | – | 1-866-532-2822 | – |
| Saskatchewan | |||
| Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit | Social and health crisis | 306-764-1011 | – |
| Regina Mobile Crisis Services | Social and health crisis | 306-757-0127 | – |
| Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service | Social and health crisis | 306-933-6200 | – |
| Victim Services | Information and referral | 1-888-286-6664 | – |
| The Public Guardian and Trustee | – | 1-877-787-5424 | – |
| Yukon | |||
| Seniors’ services/adult protection unit | – | 1-800-661-0408 | – |
| Victim services | – | 1-800-661-0408 | – |
| Victim link | – | 1-800-563-0808 | – |
Note: for more information and to get complete details; you can visit a related website.
When my grandpa died, my grandmother was devastated. I spent four months at her house. Some days she didn’t even eat one meal. But she got better. We used to walk in La Fountain park every afternoon. Now we talk almost every day. She’s doing fine. I hope I can meet her this summer.
The same thing happened to my grandma as well. Her husband passed away last year, and she started refusing to see her family. Whenever someone tried to convince her to let them stay with her and help her—since she’s living alone—she always cried and said no. My mother and I were worried about her well-being, not only because she wasn’t taking good care of herself but also because she was living alone in a relatively unsafe part of town. And since she didn’t like to pick up the phone, we couldn’t check on her that way, and if one day my mom couldn’t contact her through calls, she went to her house to make sure everything was okay. Thankfully this only lasted for a few months, and now she’s a lot better.
I really appreciate the chart of the supportive services. I was a victim myself, and I can say staying in touch with my family and friends has been really helpful. I’m trying to fight all the destructive emotions slowly, and I feel like I’m getting a little bit stronger with each passing day.
George! You are a hero. I’m so glad that you are better now. Talk about your feelings, and always remember that you should be proud of yourself because you have passed those dark days. I think awareness is the key. As mentioned in this great article, we should inform the seniors about human rights and always stay in touch with them. Sometimes they scare to say anything. It’s vital to visit them and check them mentally and physically.
How can we use new therapies to protect our senior parents from abuse? I work out of Toronto, and most of the time, my parents are live alone at home. Due to their situation, I always worry about them. Because these days, many people are looking for elders to harm them. Please guide me.
Dear Khavier, the article above gives valuable information, so I suggest reading it more carefully. Local communities can be helpful by asking them to teach and culturize this issue. Don’t forget to be in touch with your loved ones and teach them how to work with smartphones and their capabilities if they don’t know how. Also, being friends with your elderly’s neighbours can be very beneficial and reassuring.
My mother worked at different nursing/assisted care facilities for most of my childhood since a babysitter was not cost-effective. Visiting such homes was heartbreaking even as a child. It was clear that the majority of those there had been abandoned and forgotten. Few were lucky enough to have Christmas visits, let alone monthly ones from relatives and their children. They were also very kind, and it was sad when I visited them and understood they only met the nurses, not someone from their family.
Way too many times, I have seen people ignore the elderly. Our neighbours, old friends and parents need us. They will not ask for help in most cases.
The most important preventative measure is to reduce their isolation by visiting, calling, and spending time with them. Once you suspect mistreatment, call the adult protective services (APS) program in your community. Your identity is kept confidential. APS will investigate the allegations and the older person’s overall well-being, connecting them to services and support.
Check on your elderly!
Way too many times, I have seen people ignore the elderly. Our neighbours, old friends and parents need us. They will not ask for help in most cases.
The most important preventative measure is to reduce their isolation by visiting, calling, and spending time with them. Once you suspect mistreatment, call the adult protective services (APS) program in your community. Your identity is kept confidential. APS will investigate the allegations and the older person’s overall well-being, connecting them to services and support.
Check on your elderly!
I agree with you, Mia. It is sad to still hear of these things happening. It is sickening to think of people hurting and taking advantage of my loved ones who are seniors. Elders have contributed to our world, and now it is time for us to give back by taking care of them. Everyone has to respect seniors for their wisdom and experience.
Every day I talk to my son and daughters about different things and update them. My children stopped me from doing some wrong and dangerous things countless times. One time, my son stopped me from buying a fake cheap ticket to Alaska.
Not long ago, I read a comment from a nurse who wrote if you’re falling at home and go to a nursing home for help, you’re still going to be falling there.
So that got me thinking, with nurses having this many patients to take care of, how can they possibly keep them from falling or accidental injuries?
Well, they can’t!!
If seniors show bruises sometimes, it’s not always abuse or neglect…
That being said, I also believe we need a better caliber of people left in charge of the elderly. Nursing homes need to be more vigilant.
My dad hid my mother’s dementia for a few years because he knew he couldn’t live on the farm alone (Mom was able bodied, he was not), so if she went into a memory care unit, he’d lose his house. My mom lost at least a hundred pounds because she was too confused to eat unless my father cooked her a meal.
And whether because he was too sick to cook or was confused himself, he didn’t feed my mother unless he was hungry. That’s elder abuse.
No one wants to admit being abused until they cannot stand it anymore.