Take note of these senior abuse risks to help an aging adult you loved avoid elder abuse.
The goal of our professional senior care professionals, as well as every family caregiver, is to offer help that empowers seniors to be happy, healthy, and independent. Since the quality of life of seniors is so important to us, it’s crucial that we discuss a topic that can be challenging for many of us to even take into consideration – elder abuse.
According to the CDC, every year, about 500,000 aging adults are abused or neglected in the U.S. However, numerous additional elder abuse occurrences are presumed to go unreported each year, which is why it’s imperative for family members to be acquainted with possible senior abuse risks.
Listed below are a few of the factors that create senior abuse risks that may be relevant to a senior you love:
- Decreased physical health and mobility: Seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other health conditions are at an increased chance of being abused because the individual may be incapable of detailing or verbalizing the abuse.
- Reliance on others: Older individuals who are dependent on others for care are in many cases reluctant to mention any abuse, as they may feel vulnerable or that their care needs will not be able to be met by another individual if the abuser is reported.
- Previous history of abuse: Adult children who were abused by their aging parent are more prone to senior abuse, especially if the child is the main caregiver.
- Family caregiver stress or burnout: Stressed caregivers can become depressed, leading them to lash out at the seniors in their care.
- Social isolation: Social isolation often occurs when a senior loses his/her spouse or lives far away from family and friends, and it can create the perfect setting for elder abuse. Abusers quite often try to keep older adults isolated by:
- Resisting outside assistance
- Refusing to obtain economic aid or services
- Controlling contact with the older adult
- Switching social and healthcare providers frequently to make it challenging to assess the older person’s health status
Be aware of these senior abuse risks for loved ones who are being cared for by a friend, family member, or other caregiver. Visit or call as often as possible to evaluate the senior’s health, and play an active role in his/her care.
At Endeavor In Home Care, we know how important a senior loved one’s safety and wellbeing are. We are always aware of senior abuse risks and consistently take the right measures to ensure we provide the highest level of care. Each and every member of our senior care team has gone through a thorough background check, reference checks, and a personal interview to confirm they meet our high care standards.
Contact us today online or at (480) 498-2324 to learn more about our services. As the leading caregiver agency in Phoenix, AZ and throughout the surrounding areas, we provide you with peace of mind and ensure the seniors you love are safe, comfortable, and thriving.
