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Words Matter
Words Matter
Decades of social science research tell us that people use mental shortcuts to make sense of complex social problems - like Elder Abuse. Some of these shortcuts are more helpful than others in how we see and support solutions to these challenges. And if we communicate in ways that cue unproductive ways of thinking, people are less likely to hear and act upon our message.
The FrameWorks Institute has done extensive work to help us talk about our most pressing social issues in productive ways. From justice reform to immigration, racial justice to climate change, education to, yes, aging and elder abuse, the Frameworks Institute provides evidence-based ways for us to engage in effective community-based discussions. our project is indebted to them for their clear guidance on what words matter when it comes to the subjects of aging and elder abuse.
Using the Age-Friendly platform and the right ways of talking about Elder Abuse, we can activate more productive ways of thinking about this critical social issue.
How Do Everyday People Think About Elder Abuse?
How Do Everyday People Think About Elder Abuse?
The FrameWorks Institute conducted more than two years of research involving more than 10,400 Americans, to better understand public thinking on the issue of Elder Abuse.
While experts view Elder Abuse as a priority social issue and a signifcant problem facing older people, the public does not - it's simply not an issue that shows up on the public’s radar. Despite the prevalence of Elder Abuse, the public is largely unaware of its scope or signifcance, and EA rarely comes to mind when members of the public think about the challenges that older people face.
Begin thinking about the dynamics at play in public perceptions of Elder Abuse - and how your community can begin to shift them - by reviewing the findings of the FrameWorks Institute to the right. ➔
KEY FRAMING RECOMMENDATIONS
Emphasize Justice
The value of justice - the principle that all people, regardless of age, deserve equal opportunity and fair treatment - is a powerful one. And we can leverage the belief that people should live free of abuse and neglect and be able to participate fully in society as we age to help people understand Elder Abuse as a societal problem, promote a sense of collective responsibility for addressing it, and boost support for policies to prevent it.
Emphasize the Importance of Social Structure
We'll only be successful in combatting Elder Abuse when we create and maintain the social structures that minimize the social determinants and environmental factors that can foster its occurrence. A social structure needs support beams that are interconnected, securely joined, and frequently maintained. Just as a physical structure won’t stand when one beam is weak or missing, preventing and addressing Elder Abuse requires all of us - social services and legal professionals as well as concerned community members - to come together to build and remodel systems that prevent EA.
Themes to Avoid, Alternatives to Advance
The FrameWorks Institute provides a terrific side-by-side reference that pairs messages about EA that we should avoid with alternative ways of talking about the issue that produce greater understanding and action.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS VIA THE CAROUSEL ABOVE.
PRO TIP: Review the full "Talking Elder Abuse" toolkit developed by the FrameWorks Institute for more guidance and best practices for productive framing of EA in your Age-Friendly initiatives.
PRO TIP: Review the full "Talking Elder Abuse" toolkit developed by the FrameWorks Institute for more guidance and best practices for productive framing of EA in your Age-Friendly initiatives.
If you believe that an older adult is in a situation of imminent, life-threatening harm,
CALL 911 NOW.
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