elder abuse: Awareness, response, action
Polly Madson cox, Lcsw
elder abuse: Awareness, response, action
Polly Madson cox, Lcsw
Melanie Desjardins, LMSW
Melanie Desjardins, LMSW
Jacinta Deschaine, BA
Jacinta Deschaine, BA
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Polly Madson cox, Lcsw
Elder abuse is an issue that remains largely invisible, although it continues to grow in rates of occurrence. The National Council on Aging reports that close to 1 in 5 older adults in America experience some form of elder abuse (closer to 1 in 10 pre-pandemic), yet as a community we struggle to acknowledge its existence, and further may not know how to address it when we do see it. At the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine, we are committed to raising awareness and promoting interventions in instances of elder abuse, all in an effort to create a culture that values the safety and dignity of every person in our community, regardless of age. Community Connectors work closely with older members of the community, and have the opportunity to see elements of people’s lives that may go unseen otherwise, making you a valuable component in addressing abuse in an effective way. In this chapter we will discuss the different forms of elder abuse, who may be enacting the abuse or neglect, and our role in reporting it to Adult Protective Service.
Maine is a mandated reporter state. Volunteer transportation programs and other age-friendly initaitives should complete the Maine Mandated Reporter Training in the Additional Resources following this chapter
Elder Abuse Awareness
Elder Abuse Awareness
In this first section, we will watch a video introducing the topic of elder abuse, including definitions and risk factors. After familiarizing ourselves with the topic, we will gain more detailed knowledge on the forms and signs of elder abuse in the learning section. Some of the content can be heavy, please take breaks as needed during this chapter.
Resources: Elder Abuse Awareness
Resources: Elder Abuse Awareness
Activity: Time to Share
Activity: Time to Share
Now, let's start a conversation about elder abuse. In the Padlet below, click on the "+" signs under each category to add what comes up for you when you think about elder abuse and what surprises you. This Padlet will help us all unpack the experience of elder abuse (and start thinking how we can raise awareness in our own communities).
Note: if the Padlet does not work here, click here to visit and contribute.
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
How has elder abuse intersected in your life? How will elder abuse awareness effect the way you do age-friendly work in your community? Click here to complete your reflection and record your progress. Important: Complete each section before moving on to its corresponding reflection. When you return to the form, you will automatically be taken to where you last left off.
Elder Abuse - Responses
Elder Abuse - Responses
Here we will take time to consider our individual responses and reactions to knowing or suspecting an older adult's abusive situation. We will acknowledge how our thoughts and feelings may influence how we behave and why it’s important to separate how we think and feel from how the person in the situation may think or feel.
Activity: Charlotte and Howard - Financial Exploitation
Activity: Charlotte and Howard - Financial Exploitation
Watch the video and then answer the reflection question.
"We were caught red handed!" "It took nerve to call the police!"
Charlotte was 88 at the time of filming. Her husband, Howard, died shortly after the deposition; six weeks before the trial. They were exploited financially by a befriender. Charlotte has spoken publicly about elder abuse and testified before her state’s legislature to get a law passed to make it easier for future victims who are ill to testify.
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
What moved you in this video? What surprised you? How can shame and embarassment impact how older community members respond to an abusive situation? Click here to complete your reflection and record your progress. Important: Complete each section before moving on to its corresponding reflection. When you return to the form, you will automatically be taken to where you last left off.
Elder Abuse - Action
Elder Abuse - Action
In this section, we will be focusing on the action we take when we know of or suspect abuse. We will discuss what it means to be a mandated reporter, as well as the accompanying obligations. Finally, we will listen to a mock APS call to gain further understanding of the reporting process.
Activity: Scenario - Making a Report to APS
Activity: Scenario - Making a Report to APS
Watch the video, contribute to our shared learning on the padlet, and then answer the reflection questions.
Time to Share
Time to Share
Now, let's start a conversation about making a call to APS. In the Padlet below, click on the "+" signs under each category to add your ideas fabout making a similar call to APS. This Padlet will allow us to share thoughts on what it means to be a mandatory reporter and what it means to act on that mandate.
Note: if the Padlet does not work here, click here to visit and contribute.
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
What does your conversation with Bill look like after the call ends? Click here to complete your reflection and record your progress. Important: Complete each section before moving on to its corresponding reflection. When you return to the form, you will automatically be taken to where you last left off.
Elder Abuse - Closing
Elder Abuse - Closing
This section summarizes the key points of this chapter on Elder Abuse, including Elder Abuse awareness, responses, and actions to take when you are aware of, or suspect that Elder Abuse is occuring. The role of mandated reporters is reviewed.
Activity - Scenarios
Activity - Scenarios
Now that we've explored elder abuse and reviewed some of the core considerations and strategies for identifying and reporting elder abuse, reflect on these two scenarios to see how you might respond in some real-world situations. These scenarios are designed to help you explore how you might respond in specific situations.
Click through the scenarios and discussion slides using the arrows or 3 dots.
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
Reflection: Elder Abuse Awareness
How did you decide if a report to APS was merited? What would you need to be comfortable making that decision in a real-life situation? Click here to complete your final reflection and record completion of the Elder Abuse Awareness chapter. Note: Clicking will bring you back to where you left off when you completed your last reflection. When you have finished, please click "submit" to record completion of the Elder Abuse Awareness chapter.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Maine's Mandated Reporter Training, Quiz and Certificate
The training is designed to educate mandated reporters (including age-friendly volunteers, volunteer drivers and other community volunteers) about their legal responsibilities and how to recognize signs of abuse or neglect. It covers various types of abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation. The program is accessible online, allowing people to complete it at their own pace.
Note- volunteer transportation drivers and age-friendly volunteers, including Community Connectors are mandated reporters by Maine statute so are required to take this training
Abuse in Later Life Power & Control Wheel
The Power and Control Wheel for Abuse in Later Life is a visual tool that illustrates the tactics abusers use to exert power and control over older adults. This tool helps professionals, family members, friends, and older adults themselves recognize the various forms abuse can take in later life. It emphasizes that elder abuse goes beyond physical harm, encompassing a range of controlling behaviors that can severely impact an older person's quality of life and independence.
Lifting Up Voices Videos - National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life video series sharing older adult survivors of abuse experiences.
Polly Madson Cox, LCSW
Polly has great enjoyment working with older adults and in her past 25+ years in social services has been committed to issues of aging in all her professional roles and settings. For the past 3 years, she has been part of the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine and is proud to be part of a team creating and implementing programs supporting older adults who experience abuse or maltreatment. When she's not at work, Polly can be found on Maine's waters, hiking trails and ski slopes!
Jacinta Deschaine, B.A.
Jacinta has worked with the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine since February 2023, first as an advocate, and currently as the Transitional Housing Program Specialist. Jacinta has enjoyed exploring different narratives of aging, and has found great fulfillment in working with older adults.
Melanie Desjardins, LMSW
Melanie graduated from Boston College with a Masters of Social Work with a concentration in clinical social work, and a sub-concentration in gerontology. Following her passion to work with older people, she spent the first 25 years of her career working in health care in sub-acute and long-term care. In 2023 Melanie became an Advocate at the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine working in their Elder Service Connections program. She lives in Portland with her family.
During this chapter, we hope you will gain a few tools to make your community more dementia inclusive.
If you have any questions as you are going through the material, please email: lifelong@maine.edu.
The Lifelong Maine Skill Building Series was developed as part of the Community Connections project.
Funding for the project was provided through support of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging and Office of Aging and Disability Services.
We are deeply grateful for the funding and for the thought leadership provided by Elizabeth Gattien, Coordinator of the Governor's Cabinet on Aging.
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