Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse
A Month of Caring
Day 1: Send a basket to someone in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
Day 2: Offer to help an older neighbor with minor house maintenance, such as replacing burned out light bulbs.
Day 3: Deliver dinner to someone who lives alone.
Day 4: Help someone with their laundry or minor mending.
Day 5: Ask your friends if they know what elder abuse is.
Day 6: Bring an older person to a movie or concert.
Day 7: Ask an elder out for coffee after religious services.
Day 8: Write letters or send cards for someone who needs help with these tasks.
Day 9: Make sure an older neighbor has your phone and cell phone numbers in case of need.
Day 10: Investigate local programs for older adults and provide the information to friends with older parents in the community.
Day 11: Help a teacher organize an oral history project or visits from older adults to the classroom.
Day 12: Volunteer at the local Area on Aging chapter.
Day 13: Smile when you see an older person at the grocery store.
Day 14: Read to someone with poor eyesight.
Day 15: Ask your children what they can do to help an older relative or friend.
Day 16: Ask your children to take responsibility for helping an older neighbor with snow shoveling or other chores.
Day 17: Take an elder to lunch; ask questions and listen.
Day 18: Solicit advice from an older person about community matters.
Day 19: Pass out voter registration cards to older adults you know. Ask them if they need help filling out forms and ballots.
Day 20: Create a family tree. Arrange a time for children to interview living family members.
Day 21: Write a letter to the editor on topics related to elder abuse.
Day 22: Check prescription bottles to make sure older family members are taking medications properly.
Day 23: Investigate whether the school choir, band, or church choir would be interested in performing a concert at a nursing home.
Day 24: Drive an older friend to visit a friend or relative.
Day 25: Help an older family member balance their checkbook and pay the bills.
Day 26: Show an elder person how to use a computer.
Day 27: Play cards or another game with an older person.
Day 28: Call an older person to say hello.
Day 29: Pencil in other suggestions on your calendar to create a year of caring.
Source: Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. (n.d.). May: A month of caring. Richmond, VA: Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
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Last Updated: 8/3/04
SAMHSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
