Aging with Respect is an intervention addressing elder abuse, neglect and intimate partner violence with those later in life. It is developed for those patients/clients with agency and capacity in non-crisis, non-emergency situations that provides information about healthy and safe relationships, and the impact of unhealthy relationships on health and well being. Topics include financial, emotional, and physical abuse and exploitation, education and prevention strategies, and information on seeking support.
The intervention is designed for doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, aging services program staff, victim advocates and Adult Protective Services staff during wellness, primary care, social service and counseling visits, health specialty settings (e.g. podiatry etc.), rehab centers, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and aging service programs such as recreational and meal programs.
Because the education is offered universally, not just to those with observational red flags, the intervention ensures that all patients, regardless of whether they choose to disclose violence, abuse or neglect, have access to information, resources and support. This approach mirrors Futures Without Violence’s (FUTURES’) evidence based universal education intervention called “CUES” (Confidentiality limits, Universal Education, Empowerment and Support). The intervention relies on a safety card to provide guidance to health and community professionals on how to talk to patients about any concerning behavior of those around them and encourages early education about emotional, physical, and financial harassment, abuse and neglect.
