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PROGRESS REPORT ON... elder abuse

Denise Bradshaw
Seniors Well Aware Program

Pauline Fisher
Vancouver Elder Abuse Network Project

Recent advancements...

• Higher level of awareness and recognition of the concerns regarding elder abuse and neglect

• More sophistication in understanding the dynamics of abuse and neglect

• Responses should be based on ethical frameworks, understanding principles, values, concepts of self-autonomy and self-determination.

• Articulating concerns about elder abuse have come from gerontology (health related) system and are beginning to be incorporated also into the domestic violence system (most justice related).

Current Issues...

• Domestic violence in older years-Domestic violence agencies are beginning to see more older women requiring assistance and resources are not always appropriate for this older population.

• Men are also victims in situations of elder abuse and neglect which sets this apart from other domestic violence responses which look primarily at women abused by their partners.

• Relationship between substance misuse and abuse/neglect and how this impacts both the abused and the abuser, both in terms of cause and outcomes.

Future Directions...

• Practice is under-researched. A lot of work has been done in the identification of principles, values, etc., but more work needs to be done in looking at effective practice issues.

• Success of interventions as perceived by the older adults themselves needs to be examined more closely. Interventions may be determined to be successful by the health care worker if the person is relocated, or action taken against the abuser, but is this outcome considered successful by the older person.