Elder Abuse
Health care providers may be in a unique position to detect incidents of elder abuse. In their various roles helping older adults maintain daily living function through assessment, treatment and interaction, these older adults may disclose mistreatment. Or because of development of intimate knowledge of the daily life of an older adult, the provider may be able to detect abuse. Health care providers may become a needed link between a vulnerable older person and available community resources.
Potential roles in managing abuse:
- as a citizen or as a professional
- identification and detection
- reporting
- support and advocacy
- liaison with community resources.
In 2013, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) joined CAOT in developing an educational program to prepare health care providers for a role in elder abuse identification, understanding and response. Here are some of the relevant resources from that work titled “Strategies for Interprofessional Health Care Providers to Address Elder Abuse/Mistreatment”
- Types of abuse, definitions and indicators
- First steps in recognizing elder abuse and information/strategies for approaching the discussion
- Taking action against elder abuse/mistreatment
Key legal information, by region (up to date as of May 31 2013)
National resources:
Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL )
Phone: 604-822-0633
Email: ccels@bcli.org
Website: www.bcli.org/ccel
CCEL conducts research, law reform and education relating to issues affecting older adults.
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Website: www.cnpea.ca
CNPEA is the go-to organization for advancing program and policy development on issues related to preventing the abuse of older adults.
Information for Seniors
Tool Free: 1-800-622-6232
Website: www.seniors.gc.ca
“It’s Not Right!” Neighbours, Friends & Families for Older Adults
Toll Free: 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
Website: www.itsnotright.ca
“It’s Not Right!” produces free, informative publications for dealing with abuse.
National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) Network
Phone: 416-978-0545
Email: nicenetadmin@utoronto.ca
Website: www.nicenet.ca
International network of researchers, practitioners, students and seniors.
Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI)
Toll Free: 1-888-451-4519
Email: ombudsman@obsi.ca
Website: www.obsi.ca
OBSI helps resolve disputes between participating banking services and investment firms and their customers if they can’t resolve disputes on their own.
Public Health Canada
Website: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
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