What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is the mistreatment of an older adult by someone known to the older adult. This abuse includes financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and violation of Civil rights, and neglect. Family members, close friends and other persons in a trusting relationship may perpetrate the abuse.
“THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE”
A working definition of this abuse is any deliberate action or lack of action by a person in a relationship of trust, which results in harm to an older individual.”
PHYSICAL ABUSE Any acts of violence or rough treatment that causes injury or physical injury to an older person. This abuse can happen at home and in a nursing home
FINANCIAL ABUSE is the mismanagement of money, property or other assets belonging to an older person without the individual’s knowledge and full consent, or in the case of an older person who is not competent, not representing or acting in that persons best interest.
SEXUAL ABUSE Any sexual behaviour directed toward an older adult without the individual’s full knowledge and consent
EMOTIONAL ABUSE can involve verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation and can cause mental and emotional trauma. A son or daughter or other family may carry out verbal threatening and abusive treatment.
VIOLATION OF CIVIL OR HUMAN RIGHTS Denial of an older person’s fundamental rights including withholding information, denial pf privacy, denial of visitors, restrictions of personal liberty and censorship of mail.
NEGLECT This involves intentional withholding of basic necessities of care of an older person. This might include, over medication, under medication, withholding nutrition and fluids, negligent health care, abandonment or confinement.
It is important to understand that a victim may be abused in more than one way. An abuser engaged in financial abuse may use physical and emotional tactics in order to convince the older adult to give up her or his money, property or and other assets.
If you are being victimized
who will listen to you and keep what you say confidential,
who will allow you to make your own decisions
who will help you find resources and support.
What are some of the things we can to help prevent and address abuse in later life?
You may consider supporting a community organization in your area that responds to adult abuse. In all our provinces there are community organization that focus on abuse of older adults. Check community directories and seniors organizations for information. Provincial Ministries of Health are also often good resources for information
In British Columbia the following organizations are good resources
BC BCCEAS BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors: Phone: Toll Free 1-866-437-1940
VictimLINK: 1-800-563-0808
CASA Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors 604-628-9471
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia 604-660-4444
_____________________________________________________________________
REPORTING ABUSE-
“Criminal law is not used very often in any province to address issues of abuse and neglect in later life even though many forms of abuse or neglect that are experienced by older adults are criminal acts which are covered by the Criminal Code of Canada. These include physical or sexual assaults, intimidation and harassment, as well as crimes such as theft of property, fraud, or and theft by someone having power of attorney.