Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Prevention Strategies

In addition to creating MDTs, communities may incorporate an integrated services approach into policies and practices. The study of elder abuse in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for example, resulted in the following recommendations directly related to collaboration:ref

• Evaluate policies and practices of elder abuse hotlines to improve responsiveness, ensure cultural competency, and evaluate effectiveness.
• Establish a common database and exchange information among agencies.
• Establish a community-wide system for training on elder abuse for hotline counselors; district staff; police, fire, and rescue officials; prosecutors; court personnel; health and social service workers; staff of nursing homes; and assisted living personnel in the domestic violence field. Training will include identification of risk factors (including substance abuse) and discussion of available resources and services.

The Federal Government and private sectors have funded many prevention programs addressing elder abuse that can help professionals and communities tailor prevention to their own needs.

The Administration on Aging has identified Promising Practices in the Field of Caregiving and has identified 28 National Innovations Programs and 11 Projects of National Significance.

Rosalie Wolf has developed prevention strategies that can provide a basis to help communities put an end to elder abuse.ref The strategies recognize that -- as with other forms of violence -- addressing the causes of poverty, health care inequities, and other socioeconomic factors can reduce the likelihood of elder abuse. In addition, communities can increase prevention efforts through:

• Public awareness and professional training
• Coalition building
• Mental health services and family counseling
• Alcohol and substance abuse programs
• Assertiveness training and promotion of elder rights
• Caregiver training and services
• Financial management programs
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• Positive and productive aging

Research and awareness of elder abuse continue to evolve and develop. An important aspect of prevention involves pursuing new information, strategies, programs, collaborative efforts, and other activities to benefit society and its aging population.