Prevention

The prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable and older adults is a critical responsibility for our community. Due to a person’s vulnerability, the risks of mistreatment increase, making it essential to raise awareness and take proactive steps to protect those who may be unable to protect themselves.

• To understand risk factors, reduce isolation, and respond to issues surrounding financial abuse, see our Prevention of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation flyer.
• If you are a health care worker and want to know specific signs of abuse related to your particular position, please see the Frontline Healthcare Staff flyer.
• Protecting older adults from fraud and financial exploitation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• The Abuse Registry includes names of persons who have abused, neglected, exploited or misappropriated the property of vulnerable persons.
  
• The Division of Consumer Affairs is the clearinghouse for consumer complaints about unfair or deceptive acts or practices conducted within this state.
  
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.