| Avoid Caregiver Abuse From A Distance |
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 From a distance, it can be hard to assess the quality of your parent's caregivers. Ideally, if there is a primary caregiver on the scene, he or she can keep tabs on how things are going.
Sometimes a geriatric care manager can help. You can stay in touch by phone and take note of any concerns that might indicate neglect or mistreatment. These can happen in any setting, at any socioeconomic level. They can take many forms, including domestic violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and basic neglect.The stress that may happen when adult children care for their aging parents can take a toll on everyone. In some families, abuse continues a long-standing family pattern. In others, the older adult's need for constant care can cause a caregiver to lash out verbally or physically. In some cases, especially in the mid-to-late stages of Alzheimer's disease, the older adult may become physically aggressive and difficult to manage. This might cause a caregiver to respond angrily. But no matter what the cause or who is the perpetrator, abuse and neglect are never acceptable responses. If you feel that your parent is in physical danger, contact the authorities right away. If you suspect abuse, but do not feel there is an immediate risk, contact someone who can act on your behalf: your parent's doctor, for instance, or your contact at a home health agency. Suspected abuse must be reported to adult protective services. Elder Mistreatment Elder mistreatment is the intentional or unintentional hurting, either physical or emotional, of an older person. Some signs to watch for:
If the elder lives in another state, call the protective services agency where the elder lives. In some states you can call a hotline toll-free. Many states also have online directories that list local reporting numbers. Information and referral is also available from the National Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. Call toll-free 1-800-677-1116. This number is available from Monday through Friday 9 AM-8 PM (except U.S. federal holidays). Signs of Self-Neglect Self-neglect describes situations in which older people put themselves at high risk. People who neglect themselves may have a disorder, which impairs their judgment or memory. They may have a chronic disease. Knowing where to draw the line between self-neglect and a person's right to independence can be hard. Here are some signs that may mean it's time to intervene:
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