Various factors serve as barriers to reporting elder abuse. These include lack of knowledge, denial, ageism, fear of making the situation worse, desire to maintain family relationships, fear of ending up in court, or lack of belief that the situation will improve. The key to eradicating these barriers is education that increases both public and professional awareness.
Increasing awareness is considered instrumental in the prevention of elder abuse. Services for seniors, such as meals on wheels, home health care, homemaker, and chore services, are thought to aid in abuse prevention, although preventing elder abuse needs further study.
If someone you know is suffering from self-neglect, abuse or maltreatment, you can help.