Checklist on Questions to Ask
The first question to ask in any abuse situation – Is this an emergency? If yes, Call 911. For other situations, it is useful to go through the ABUSER checklist:
- Acknowledge? – Be aware of changes in behaviour that cause concern
- Barriers? – Are there barriers such as lack of mobility, dependency for daily living tasks, mental illness, disability.
- Urgency? – Assess immediate needs and potential risk of physical harm.
- Screen? – Assess person’s physical, emotional and mental capacity to help themselves.
- Empower? – Inform person of their rights, resources and offer assistance
- Refer? – Offer support or consultation from other resources.
You should refer to our Reference Guide below for more information on:
- types of elder abuse and neglect;
- indicators of abuse and/or neglect;
- interview strategy;
- possible interventions;
- educating the victim about support information;
- developing a possible safety plan; and,
- phone numbers for consultation and coordination of a response/referral.

From the original Elder Abuse Assessment and Intervention Reference Guide, for service providers assisting older adults, developed by the Hamilton Council Against Abuse of Older Persons. For a pdf version of this guide for BC, click on this link: Elder-Abuse-Assessment-and-Intervention-Reference-Guide-edited