Tips for Helping to Protect Vulnerable Adults
- Keep a watchful eye on family, friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable.
- Understand that abuse, neglect and exploitation can happen to anyone. Know what to look for.
- Speak up if you have concerns. Trust your instincts!
- Help limit the vulnerable adult’s isolation. Discuss options with him or her and encourage them to stay in contact with others.
- Report any suspicions of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation or abandonment.
Spread the word! Tell your coworkers, family, friends and community about the signs of abuse and neglect and where to report.
How to Protect Yourself from Abuse, Neglect, Self-Neglect and Exploitation
- Stay busy and engaged in life
- Take good care of yourself for life. Older adults in declining health can become more vulnerable as a result of their increasing dependence.
- Maintain regular medical and dental appointments. Take care of your personal needs.
- Know your right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Know your legal rights.
- Trust your instincts.
If something doesn’t feel right, ask for help from a trusted family member, physician or lawyer.
Tips for Protecting Yourself from Financial Exploitation
- Learn more about how to protect yourself against common scams directed at seniors from the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General.
- Do not give your personal information (e.g. social security number or birth date) or access to financial information to someone you hardly know.
- Organize your financial documents in one place for easy and quick reference. AARP has designed a form to help document where to locate important documents before a crisis occurs.
- Donate only to known charities.
- Get legal advice for questions regarding power of attorney or durable power of attorney.
- Make a will and carefully consider all revisions before finalizing them.
- Keep valuables in a safe place.
- Consider direct deposit for any regular monthly income.