A six-step approach to responding to Elder Abuse
Abuse may make it harder for an older person to stand up for their own rights. It is often more
difficult for people to disclose and deal with abuse by relatives and friends than abuse by
strangers because of the emotional and social ties that exist within these relationships. People
who have been victims of elder abuse may be unwilling to report the abuse or prosecute the
abusers as they may believe it’s their own fault; be ashamed that their children/partner is
harming them; be dependent on the abuser for income and social networks and fear losing
them; worry about being estranged from their children and losing their family; and worry about
having to rebuild their finances if they leave the situation. These issues must be taken into
account when dealing with elder abuse. It is also important to be mindful that cultural factors
may impact on perceptions of elder abuse as well as approaches to problem-solving among
people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The following six-step approach
may provide a helpful framework to guide elder abuse responses. Please note, however, that
responding to an emergency should always be the first priority in order to safeguard the older
person and others, with identification, assessment, and responses to elder abuse to follow.