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Staying in control when you're older

Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Abuse can take many forms, from disrespect to causing someone mental or physical pain. It is never acceptable. There is action you can take to protect yourself and help available if you need it.
Abuse is when someone causes us harm or distress. It may be a single or repeated act or it could be a failure to take appropriate action.
There are five common types of abuse:
People responsible for abuse are often taking advantage of a special relationship. It could be a friend or family member or a paid carer. Sometimes abuse happens because the person doesn’t have the right skills for looking after you. Whatever the situation, it is never acceptable. You don’t have to put up with it and it isn’t your fault.
Anyone can be at risk of abuse. It is no reflection on your intelligence, strength or worth. It can happen anywhere – at home, in a hospital or care home, or a public place.
Some people may be more vulnerable, for example if you:
Sometimes the person at risk may be a carer.
If you are experiencing any form of abuse, it's important to speak out to stop it. This may feel difficult but it's the best way to start getting help and support. You could start by talking to your family or friends you trust or speak to your GP, social worker or local social services.
Many councils have a dedicated team for reporting concerns about abuse or neglect. This might be called a safeguarding team. You can also contact your local council’s adult social care team.
For confidential advice on reporting abuse, contact the Action on Elder Abuse helpline 0808 808 8141. You can also call our Helpline and arrange to speak to an adviser.
If you’ve experienced domestic violence, you can get support from the National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline or the Men’s Advice Line.
If you think a crime has been committed, you can report it to your local police by calling 101.
If you have been physically hurt or in an emergency, call 999 for the police or an ambulance.
If you report abuse to your adult social care team, a social worker will investigate and then discuss ways to resolve the situation. What happens next depends on:
If you are still at risk of abuse they will start a safeguarding enquiry, which could be a conversation or a more formal course of action involving other agencies.
Your wishes should be taken into account at all stages. If you need help to express your views, you may be able to get support from an independent advocate. In certain situations, you're legally entitled to an advocate.
If the enquiry decides that it's necessary, the adult social care team should put a plan of action in place, stating:
If a crime has been committed or in more serious cases, the police may be involved.
If you’re worried about abuse, there are things you can do to reduce the risk.
If you’re employing a care worker yourself, ask them for references from previous employers and make sure they’ve had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This checks to see if they have a criminal record or if there were any other concerns in the past. You can find useful resources to help you employ a care worker on the Skills for Care website.
You may be relying on someone else to do shopping for you or to collect your benefits for example. Ask more than one person to support you if possible, for added protection. You could also talk to your bank for advice on managing your money.
If someone is putting pressure on you to change your will, seek legal advice. You might be able to get free initial legal advice through a Law Works legal advice clinic. You can find a solicitor through the Law Society.
It’s important to know that someone you trust will make decisions on your behalf if there comes a time when you are unable to do so.
You could set up a lasting power of attorney (LPA), which is a legal document that gives someone you trust the right to make decisions about your money and property and/or your health and welfare. You must be able to trust your attorney completely. Don’t set up an LPA if you feel under pressure to do so.
You can also set up an advance decision, which is a way to refuse certain types of treatment or care if there comes a time when you lose mental capacity. It is legally binding and must be followed by the healthcare professionals who are looking after you, unless your circumstances change and the advance decision no longer applies.
If you lose mental capacity and there is no LPA in place, the Court of Protection can appoint a deputy. Deputies are usually relatives or friends but may also be someone like a solicitor or even the local council. Applying to be a deputy is more expensive than setting up an LPA but may offer more protection.
You will find contact details for your local council on gov.uk/find-your-local-council.
For confidential advice on reporting abuse, contact Action on Elder Abuse.