World elder abuse day: Interventions for preventing abuse in the elderly

Abuse and neglect of older adults can take many forms: physical, psychological, sexual, or financial. Not all abuse cases are reported, and abuse tends to get worse over time, contributing to compromised physical and mental health for the individual being abused. Do you know how to identify potential signs of abuse? Do you know what to do if you suspect someone is being abused? A critical first step in treating abuse is understanding when it is happening. We have compiled some helpful resources to help you recognize abuse, better understand the risk factors and types of elder abuse, understand risks and benefits of interventions and more. Whether you are an older adult or caregiver, resources exist to help you deal with abuse. Do not hesitate to seek help from a health professional or social worker if you fear someone you know is being abused.


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DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.