Signs of Elder Abuse: Prevention and Support

In this episode, we tackle the often-overlooked but critical topic of elder abuse with guest Doni Green, who leads the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging. With over two decades of experience administering federal programs for older adults and family caregivers, Doni brings invaluable insight into the complexities of abuse, neglect, and exploitation affecting seniors. Host Darleen Mahoney guides a sensitive yet deeply informative conversation, clarifying the many forms elder abuse can take—including physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment—and why it is so frequently underrecognized and underreported.Listeners will learn to identify the warning signs of abuse, from physical indicators like unexplained bruises to emotional symptoms like withdrawal or intimidation. The discussion also candidly addresses caregiver burnout and the nuanced family dynamics that can sometimes escalate into harmful situations, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and seeking help before frustrations boil over.Doni Green explains how services like Adult Protective Services and Area Agencies on Aging can provide crucial support, resources, and interventions for both seniors and caregivers nationwide. She offers guidance on reporting suspected abuse and highlights the availability of respite care, support groups, and counseling—all designed to strengthen family caregiving while ensuring seniors' safety and dignity.From practical tips for caregivers to a compassionate exploration of the impact of abuse on mental health, this episode is a comprehensive resource for anyone concerned about elder well-being. Tune in for essential information, supportive advice, and actionable resources to protect seniors and maintain healthy caregiving relationships.SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast sponsored by LIVDRY & TerraBella Senior Living The background music is written, performed and produced exclusively by purple-planet.com.https://www.purple-planet.com/SeniorLivingGuide.com Webinars and Podcast represents the opinions and expertise of our guests. The content here is for informational and educational purposes. It does not necessarily represent the views, recommendations, opinions or advice of Fairfax Publishing/SeniorLivingGuide.com or its employees