Elder Abuse And Neglect In Canada

This large-print Canadian booklet provides brief information about elder abuse: who does it and why, how to determine abuse, why older people are reluctant to report it, and what can be done about it.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the important developments that have occurred in the field of research related to the abuse & neglect of older adults since 1989. The first section briefly reviews previous Canadian research on the subject. Section 2 covers the definitions of the different types of abuse & neglect and discusses the disputes that have arisen over how to define. Subsequent sections review the research on the following: abuse & neglect of older adults in domestic and institutional settings; characteristics of victims and perpetrators; theories of abuse & neglect; risk factors for abuse; protocols for abuse & neglect detection, assessment, and intervention; programs and services developed to address the issue; and prevention. The final section is a brief look to the future.

This book steps back to take stock of what we know and do not know, what is being done and what needs to be done about abuse and neglect of older people. Twenty-seven authors from across Canada have collaborated to bring together insight and analysis from their diverse perspectives: practice, education, policy-making and research.

The objectives of the study were to identify the prevalence and the circumstances of abuse of the elderly in Canada. It focused on those elderly in Canada living in private dwellings, who represent about 91 percent of all elderly in Canada. It sought to examine factors contributing to conflict within the family, and the means by which individuals resolve or cope with conflict. In particular, it sought to examine in detail what researchers and caregivers have identified as the four major areas or categories of abuse: material abuse; chronic verbal aggression; physical violence; and neglect.

The purpose of this document is to present a snapshot of what is being done to prevent and deal with elder abuse across Canada; to identify and list elder abuse-specific programs and services that help seniors who are abused or at risk of being abused. This includes prevention initiatives and the use of protocols for dealing with elder abuse; and to encourage networking, new initiatives and the sharing of ideas, resources, and expertise among individuals and groups who are concerned about the abuse of seniors.