As we age, we have a right to feel safe in our communities. We want to feel safe in our homes and communities. Police and fire departments can actively focus on preventing injuries and threats to older adults, by being trained in programs such as elder abuse/neglect identification and prevention, and by having in place neighborhood watch programs. Our capacity to care for others depends on having stable support in place. We can help prevent elder abuse by building stronger social structures to support our communities and the people we care for. Interventions are most effective when they are targeted and timely. To ward off tragedy, construction workers install support beams so buildings can withstand heavy winds, earthquakes, and other disasters. We need to take the same approach with elder abuse and our public safety. We need social support beams, like emergency planning, first responder training, and collaborative policies to protect against abuse and neglect. We can all contribute to this effort by understanding the risk factors for elder abuse and mitigating hazardous or unsafe situations before they escalate. (Frameworks Institute, 2017)

“Warning signs include changes in an older person’s appearance, demeanor, behavior, and routine, as well as general signs of low-quality care. Soiled clothing and piles of dirty dishes or laundry, for example, my be cause be understaffed or improperly managed facilities, ill-equipped or overwhelmed family members, or self-neglect. These are signs that you need to ask more detailed questions about living conditions and perhaps alert other trained staff and contacts about the situation. The more people who sense a potential problem, the more likely it will be caught early and addressed properly.” (Frameworks Institute, 2017, p. 3) 

“Beyond addressing individual situations, contributing to collective advocacy efforts, such as town hall discussions, awareness-raising campaigns, and meet-and-greets with elected officials will build public understanding about public safety, emergency planning, and strengthen the social supports needed to prevent abuse/neglect. Strong, stable communities with structures to support people of all ages not only ensures justice and dignity for older people, but also secure the wellbeing of the community and enhance the quality of life for us all” (Frameworks Institute, 2017, p. 3).

It is critical to have emergency plans for evacuating older adults in the event of a natural disaster or homeland security event, and for local government to know where older adults reside in order for services to be provided in case of severe weather or other situations that prevent the resident from leaving their home.  Community emergency planning plays a key role in taking into account the vulnerabilities and capabilities of older adults within our communities.

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