What would be a good way to approach my aunt to ask her if she is being physically abused?

Depending upon the individual, strategies that you might use include

• directly and respectfully asking your aunt if any abuse is occurring;
• encouraging your aunt to contact others such as a doctor, lawyer, social worker, public health worker, or home care worker;
• describing to your aunt the benefits she might be entitled to which could help her be more independent;
• providing information about counselling services for the abused or the abuser;
• helping to dispel myths about abuse, for example, that protecting the abuser's reputation will not help the abuser change, that there is no "perfect family", and that abuse can exist at any education or income level;
• helping your aunt understand that nobody deserves to be abused;
• encouraging her to get out and use community service programs, such as drop-in centres;
• encouraging your aunt to get a thorough health assessment from her doctor or a health unit.

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January 2006

see also:

• More Abuse of Older Adults FAQs

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