Preventing elder abuse is a shared responsibility.
The abuse of older adults is everyone’s business. By being knowledgeable about elder abuse you can help prevent it, recognize the signs, and take steps to intervene safely. It’s important to remember that EVERYONE can help and has a role to play to prevent elder abuse.
There are many actions older adults and other community members can take to prevent elder abuse. Here are some of them:
Older Adults
Stay active and connected
- Maintain regular contact with friends, family and support networks.
- Stay active in the community – volunteer, go on outings with friends and visit neighbours. Isolation increases vulnerability to abuse.
- Have your own phone and open your own mail.
- Familiarize yourself with services for seniors, attend local health fairs to ask questions and pick up written materials.
- Take control of your own decisions and health care.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- If something feels wrong and you think you may be abused, tell someone you trust.
Plan for your future and communicate your wishes
- It is good to plan ahead, while you are independent and mentally capable.
- Establish a Power of Attorney or a Living Will, and advance care planning early. These documents will help you ensure that your financial and health care decisions are respected. They will help avoid confusion or tensions with your loved ones later on.
Consider:- Which person(s) do you want to make health care/financial decisions for you when you can’t?
- What kind of medical treatment do/don’t you want? etc.
- 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.
- Seek alternative options for care beyond family members.
Advocate for your rights:
- If you are not satisfied with care services you receive in your home or care facility, voice the challenges you are encountering and place a complaint if necessary.
- Educate yourself about your rights and the signs of elder abuse.
- Report abuse when you see it.
Protect your finances/property
- Do not lend your bank card or give your PIN number to anyone.
- Do not lend money without a formal payback schedule (unless it’s a gift).
- Use direct deposit for all cheques that you receive, i.e. pension cheques (OAS, CPP etc.).
- Have bills automatically paid from your bank account such as your telephone or utilities bills.
- Do not sign any documents you do not understand or feel under pressure to sign from anyone.
- Do not let someone guilt-trip you into doing something you are not comfortable with.
- Read all legal documents carefully, including the fine print.
- Be careful when co-signing loans or signing over ownership of your home.
- Seek independent advice from someone you trust before signing any documents.
- Ensure that property/materials which are borrowed are returned.
- Keep your home secure and do not leave valuables or large amounts of cash lying around.
- Be informed about financial affairs.
- Update Will and Power of Attorney documents yearly or as relationships change.
- Only grant an attorney (Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and/or a Power of Attorney for Personal Care) to a person(s) that you know, trust, and whom you know will respect your wishes.
- Write into your Continuing Power of Attorney for Property instructions regarding when it is to come into effect.
