This Webinar will discuss the cohort effects that make older adults less willing to talk about their abuse and engage in treatment services than younger adults. These effects may underlie why so few older adults contact the police, or Adult Protective Services for help. At least two clinical cases will be highlighted. The case of Ann (age 70) who was the parent of a high spirited child that she often allowed to have control of the family, and is now the victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation at the hands of that adult child and that of Ron (age 80) who was the perpetrator of child emotional abuse and neglect and is now the victim of elder abuse. Different aspects of development can influence how Ann and Ron make meaning from what happens to them and may serve as additional barriers to them directly confronting their victimization. These barriers will be discussed along with strategies for overcoming them.
Participants will gain ideas for talking with older adults about their victimization and/or perpetration and developing the structure for treatment plans. After attending this webinar, participants will be able to describe barriers to older adults disclosing abuse, be able to describe strategies for using the values of older adults to talk with them about abuse, and design treatment goals that may enhance the motivation of their older adult clients. They may also gain increased awareness of the need for their working environments to be trauma-informed and provide support to prevent staff from developing secondary trauma from working with cases of elder abuse.
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