1. Call or visit an elderly loved one or family friend who lives alone often and ask how he or she is doing. Invite them to family functions and activities, such as holiday, birthday and weekend gatherings.
2. Participate in gatherings and socializing with elders that make them feel wanted, such as listening to stories and having them teach you skills such as sewing, and knitting. Encourage participation by including the elder in projects such as cooking, vacations, and holiday/party planning.
3. Participate in providing care for the elder by helping the caregiver when around the elder, and giving breaks for the person caring for the elder. This allows early detection and prevention of problems.
4. Monitor the elder's fincances to ensure that there is no financial abuse, and provide resources that can assist, such as financial advisors or wealth management companies.
5. Encourage awareness in the community by educating about signs, symptoms, and resources available for elders. Promoting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) and Grandparents Day in September can help with recognition and appreciation for elders.
6. Volunteer in assisted living or elderly centers to provide and foster proper care given for elders. This can help depict those who are being abused and have attention brought to the situation.
7. Educate the youth about having respect for their elders. Attend local schools and be a guest speaker, and encourage the youth to appreciate the elders in their family.
8. Have leaders in the community such as the mayor or city council and church centers speak and write about elder abuse.
9. If you notice elder abuse, notify the proper person. In a nursing home, inform manager...at home, inform the caregivers agency manager or when no outside caregiver is used, remove caregiver and notify authorities.
10. Participate in campaigns dedicated to stop elder abuse to help create awareness to the problems that exist and decrease elder abuse.