1. Strengthening Community Supports to Prevent Elder Abuse
[ PRESENTER INFORMATION]

2. Introduction: Presenter / Organization
PRESENTER BIO; ORGANIZATION MISSION OR GOAL(S); COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ETC.

3. Elder Abuse: What are you seeing?
How often are you hearing people allege elder abuse?
What scenarios are you hearing about most frequently?
Speaker Notes:
Consider inserting this as a conversation starter to get the dialogue going with the audience.
Consider mentioning local or statewide statistics on elder abuse.
Remember, in addition to questions about the topic in general, we should be able to answer this question: “What are we doing about the problem? What community resources are available to address and prevent elder abuse?” Taking a quick inventory of your efforts as well as those at the state and local levels will help you answer these questions.

4. What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse, the mistreatment or harming of an older person, is an injustice that we all need to prevent and address.
Elder Abuse occurs in both community and institutional settings and takes many forms, including:
Physical abuse
Emotional/Psychological abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Financial exploitation
Elder Abuse is believed to be widely under-detected and under-reported.
Speaker Notes:
According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced elder abuse or neglect, making it a priority social justice issue for all of us. Elder abuse affects communities on many levels, from public health to civic participation to economic resources. The costs of elder abuse are high for the affected individuals and our society. Older people’s losses can be tangible (their homes and life savings) and intangible (their dignity, independence, and possibly their lives). For society, it creates health care and legal costs, which are often shouldered by public programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and reduces older people’s participation in our communities.
Question to audience:
Why do you think Elder abuse is so underreported?

5. What Causes Elder Abuse?
Elder Abuse can occur when strong social supports are not in place to keep us connected as we age.
While anyone is potentially at risk of abuse, some factors can increase one’s risk of experiencing abuse:
social isolation
lack of access to support services and community resources
physical, mental, or emotional needs in carrying out daily activities
Elder Abuse can be prevented if we work together to create a stronger society that values and supports all of us as we age.
Speaker Notes:
Elder Abuse can happen to when we are disconnected from our communities. Without accessible, quality health and public services, our population becomes more at risk for abuse as we age.
Ageism, negative stereotypes based on prejudices about age, can also drive discrimination and play a role in enabling elder abuse.

6. Multiple forms of abuse can occur at once.
Types of Elder Abuse
PHYSICAL
PSYCHOLOGICAL
FINANCIAL
SEXUAL
NEGLECT
Speaker Notes:
The following types of abuse are commonly accepted as the major categories of elder abuse. Although there are distinct types of abuse defined, it is not uncommon for an older person to experience more than one type of mistreatment at the same or different times.
Physical abuse: Use of force to threaten or physically injure an older person
Psychological/ Emotional abuse: Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to an older person
Financial abuse: Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and use of undue influence as a lever to gain control over an older person’s money or property
Sexual abuse: Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon an older person, including anyone who is unable to grant consent
Neglect: Failure or refusal to provide for an older person’s safety, physical, or emotional needs
Multiple forms of abuse can occur at once.

7. Signs of Elder Abuse Physical Signs Broken bones, bruises, and welts
It is up to all of us to know the signs of elder abuse so we can immediately report any suspicions of abuse occurring in the community or long-term care setting.
Physical Signs
Broken bones, bruises, and welts
Untreated bed sores
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Sexually transmitted diseases without clear explanations
Dirtiness, poor nutrition, or dehydration
Poor living conditions
Lack of medical aids [glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, or medications]
Over/under medicated
Speaker Notes: It is up to all of us to know the signs of elder abuse so we can immediately report any suspicions of abuse occurring in the community or long-term care setting.
Physical signs of abuse via NCEA Red Flags of Abuse Handout :
Broken bones, bruises, and welts
Cuts, sores, or burns
Untreated bed sores
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Sexually transmitted diseases without clear explanations
Dirtiness, poor nutrition, or dehydration
Poor living conditions
Lack of medical aids [glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications]
Over/ under medicated
Financial Signs
Unusual changes in bank account or money management
Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial documents
Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
Unpaid bills
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
Fear or anxiety
Isolation from friends or family
Withdrawal from normal activities
Sadness
Handout: NCEA Red Flags of Abuse

8. Signs of Elder Abuse Emotional & Behavioral Signs Financial Signs
Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
Fear or anxiety
Isolation from friends or family
Withdrawal from normal activities
Sadness
Financial Signs
Speaker Notes: It is up to all of us to know the signs of elder abuse so we can immediately report any suspicions of abuse occurring in the community or long-term care setting.
Physical signs of abuse via NCEA Red Flags of Abuse Handout :
Broken bones, bruises, and welts
Cuts, sores, or burns
Untreated bed sores
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Sexually transmitted diseases without clear explanations
Dirtiness, poor nutrition, or dehydration
Poor living conditions
Lack of medical aids [glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications]
Over/ under medicated
Financial Signs
Unusual changes in a bank account or money management services
Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial documents
Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
Unpaid bills
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
Fear or anxiety
Isolation from friends or family
Withdrawal from normal activities
Sadness
Handout: NCEA Red Flags of Abuse
Unusual changes in a bank account or money management
services
Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial
documents
Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
Unpaid bills

9. Report suspicions of abuse as soon as possible.
Reporting Abuse
Report suspected abuse in the community to the local Adult Protective Services agency, and report suspected abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. For serious and immediate emergencies, call
Report suspicions of abuse as soon as possible.
Adult Protective Services
1-XXX-XXX-XXXX
Local Law Enforcement
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Speaker Notes:
You do not need to prove that abuse is occurring; it is up to professionals to investigate allegations of abuse. Making a report in instances of suspected abuse or neglect is the right thing to do, and it’s easy.
Reporting Abuse:
Programs such as Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program are here to help. To report suspected abuse in the community, contact your local Adult Protective Services agency. To report suspected abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility, contact your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Report Abuse to APS (suspected abuse in the community) + local law enforcement OR Long-Term Care Ombudsman (suspected abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility) + local law enforcement
For reporting numbers outside of your area:
If the elder lives in another state, call the protective services agency where the elder lives. To connect to a local or state reporting number, contact the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or at M-F 9AM – 8PM ET
To connect to a local or state reporting number, contact the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or at M-F 9AM – 8PM ET.

10. Preventing Elder Abuse in Our Community
Elder abuse is preventable – and everyone has a role to play. It is up to all of us to build strong supports for one another and prevent abuse before it happens.
Speaker Notes:
The strongest communities are those in which everyone has the chance to contribute and nobody lives in isolation. When strong social supports are not in place to keep us connected as we age, it becomes difficult to prevent, notice, and report abuse.
Here are several important things WE can do to prevent elder abuse: - Listen to older people and caregivers to understand their challenges and provide support
Educate one another about the signs of abuse and how to get help; report abuse or suspected abuse as soon as possible
Build a community that fosters social connections and supports
Use professional services for support where available
Reach out for support from local health and social services
[ insert information about programs and services offered by your agency or other community specific resources –Senior Medicare Patrol Program; Meal Services; Case Management; Legal Assistance; Transportation; etc ]

11. Do something NOW! Take the Pledge
I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO PREVENT AND REPORT ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.
I WILL never knowingly violate the trust of the elders with whom I come in contact.
I WILL ensure that I know how to recognize elder abuse and exploitation and how to report it.
I WILL strive to educate my family, friends and associates to know when, where and how to report suspected elder abuse and exploitation
“I WILL” - created by MEAPA, the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance,
in partnership with the Arizona Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Speaker Notes:
Invite presentation audience to take the pledge!
“I WILL” - created by MEAPA, the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, in
partnership with the Arizona Association of Area Agencies on Aging

12. Thank You! Q&A Connect With Us
[ organization name; phone number ; address;
Hours of operation; social media handle(s); website]
Consider mentioning others in your community who helped make the training possible. For example, did someone donate food for the training or did someone provide the training space at no charge? Encourage presentation attendees to connect with your agency and share about services/programs offered.
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