Original Air Date: April 5, 1998

What is elder abuse?

• Elder abuse is any harm caused to an older person by someone with whom they have a relationship of trust.
• It's an extremely insidious form of abuse because of the trust that exists.
• The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial, or neglect.

What triggers elder abuse?

• There aren't any "common" triggers. Each case has its own specific causes.
• The "old" theory was that stress in caregiving relationships led to abuse, but new studies have shown that often abusive relationships are the result of an adult child having mental health problems or a financial crisis. (For example, when an adult child loses his job and moves back in with a parent.)
• Sometimes, it's a cycle of abuse where the abuser (child) is seeking retribution for having been abused by the parent in the past.

What's the hardest part of the abuse for seniors?

• Telling someone. There's incredible shame and embarrassment in admitting to someone that they're being abused by a family member. Many of today's seniors have never sought assistance outside the family unit for any reason.
• There's a profound psychological impact on the senior. This is the child they raised, and the feelings of betrayal are overwhelming.
• Seniors are reluctant to report the abuse because they don't want to see any harm come to their child (i.e. incarceration).
• Often, when they finally do tell someone, the person they'll seek assistance from isn't in a position to help. They'll be discouraged by calling a government agency or support service that tells them their problem isn't that agency's mandate.

Is there an onus on others to report elder abuse if they're aware of it?

• Some east coast provinces have "adult protection legislation."
• First, seniors are adults, and this type of legislation smacks of paternalism.
• Seniors are reluctant to report the abuse because they don't want to see any harm come to their child (i.e. incarceration).
• Secondly, it's just a short-term, Band-Aid fix. When this type of intervention takes place, seniors are removed to emergency housing or emergency beds in LTC facilities, but it doesn't really address the problem that caused them to be in need of intervention in the first place.

Who should you notify when a senior is being victimized?

• It depends on the type of abuse that's going on.
• Spousal abuse: women's shelter or other emergency shelter (i.e. LTC facility for senior women with medical considerations).
• "Caregiver stress" abuse: social service agencies for respite or training (caregiver role can be sudden, and many just aren't prepared for it).
• Financial abuse: if there's a power of attorney in place, contact a lawyer to have it revoked/revised. Police should also be contacted.

What type of support is available?

• It varies from province to province. Many services come and go rather quickly because of funding problems.
• For short-term, emergency assistance, there is alternative housing or, where there are health care needs, beds in LTC facilities.
• Longer-term, in-home support can include visiting services for isolated seniors, or home care services that get "outside eyes" into the household.
• Other people in the senior's life like neighbors, doctors, the bank manager can help keep an eye on things.
• Some of the most effective support can be the senior's "faith community." Support of this kind can help build the senior's confidence to deal with the abuse.
• Legal support, in the form of general advocacy, getting a proper power of attorney done (one that restricts access), etc., is important.
• Overall, just "getting connected" with people who are in a position to help and advocate can help a senior who finds him/herself in this situation.

What should caregivers do if they feel things could escalate into abuse?

• As soon as you find yourself in a caregiving situation, get information on where you can get support. Don't wait until you become overwhelmed.
• Have a "fallback" plan, whether it's a formal respite service, friends and family, or someone from your faith community.

Do we get convictions against elder abusers?

• Yes, but there are no separate statistics kept on crimes against seniors. They fall into the larger general categories of fraud or assault

What is elder abuse?

• It's physical, psychological, emotional or financial abuse or neglect by a person who has a family relationship with the victim or who has a trust (like a lawyer) or power of attorney.

Are women more likely to be victims of elder abuse than men?

• They are, but it's mostly because of their sheer numbers. Women live longer than men, so there are more senior women.
• On an individual basis, an elderly man is as likely to be abused as an elderly woman.

Are there cultural differences?

• In some cultures, the elderly are revered and considered wise. In those cultures, elder abuse is rare.
• In other cultures, being old is seen as a weakness, and abuse of elders (because it is a "power thing") is more common.

Who is a typical victim?

• Anyone who can't fight back is a potential victim. When we ageÑno matter what type of person we were beforeÑwe become vulnerable to victimization.

Who is a typical abuser?

• The highest percentage of abusers are adult children (more frequently sons).
• They are unemployed and/or have abuse problems (alcohol, drugs, gambling).
• While the above constitutes a "typical" abuser, anyone can be a potential abuser, especially in cases of financial abuse. Having a power of attorney or other means of access to someone else's money can be extremely tempting.

What are the warning signs?

• Someone whose caregiver keeps him/her isolated from all other people.
• Someone whose money and virtually every aspect of his/her life are being handled exclusively by one person.
• Someone who is over/under-medicated.
• omeone whose health deteriorates.
• Someone who no longer takes pride in his/her appearance and hygiene.
• Someone who doesn't eat.
• The condition of the house deteriorates.

What should people do if they suspect or know of elder abuse?

• If they witness a criminal offense against a senior in progress, they should call 911 immediately.
• If it's not an emergency situation, they should call their local police switchboard (not an emergency number) and ask to speak with a community services officer to file a report. (They are also able to refer you to the correct social service agency.)
• If a person is reluctant to "get involved" by filing a report with police, they can call Crime Stoppers (222-TIPS works nationally). They don't use call-display phones, and you can remain entirely anonymous.

Is it hard to get seniors to follow through and testify once charges have been laid?

• Yes; as with most types of abuse, the "recant rate" is 95%. While they are abusive, these abusers are, nonetheless, people the victims love.
• Once the charges are laid, however, the victim's testimony is not absolutely necessary. The courts can rely on statements given previously, 911 tapes, etc.

Are seniors at risk in LTC facilities?

• It's not really known how much abuse goes on in nursing homes and other such facilities because it's often dealt with internally.
• If you are a visitor and see something going on (i.e. restraints on a person who obviously shouldn't be restrained, a senior being pushed around or otherwise mistreated), blow the whistle! It could be your loved one when you're not there.
• Many people fear repercussions against their loved one if they lodge a complaint against a staff member at a LTC facility. She says not to worry about this: lay the complaintÑthe staff member will be dealt with.

We need to look out for each other. Abusive situations of all kinds are a community responsibility The police are only a tool to get offenders to court. "We don't see the act. We need the eyes and ears of the people out there."