Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 23 cases go unreported.

1. Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect.

2. Call or visit an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing.

3 Provide a respite break for a caregiver.

4. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse.

5. Ask your doctor to ask you and all other senior patients about possible family violence in their lives.

6. Contact your local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsmanto learn how to support their work helping at-risk elders and adults with disabilities.

7. Organize a “Respect Your Elders” essay or poster contest in your child’s school.

8. Ask your religious congregration’s leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message about elder abuse in the bulletin.

9. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or to a homebound senior in your neighborhood.

10. Send a letter to your local paper, radio or TV station suggesting that they cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) or Grandparents Day in September.

11. Dedicate your bikeathon/marathon/other event to elder mistreatment awareness and prevention.

12. Join the Ageless Alliance. Ageless Alliance connects people of all ages,    nationwide,    who    stand    united for the dignity of
older adults and for the elimination of elder abuse. You can join (it’s free) and get involved at agelessalliance.org.

For more information regarding Elder Abuse and Prevention follow the links below: