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Elder Abuse Detection

Elder Abuse Detection. Katie Fagen, MSW. Centre Affilié Universitaire CLSC René-Cassin du CSSS Cavendish 5800 Cavendish, Côte Saint-Luc, Qc H4W 2T5 Affili é à / Affiliated with : Université de Montréal, McGill University, UQAM. What is Elder Abuse?.

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Elder Abuse Detection

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  1. Elder Abuse Detection Katie Fagen, MSW Centre Affilié Universitaire CLSC René-Cassin du CSSS Cavendish 5800 Cavendish, Côte Saint-Luc, Qc H4W 2T5 Affilié à / Affiliated with: Université de Montréal, McGill University, UQAM

  2. What is Elder Abuse? “By the term ”abuse”, we label all behaviours inclined to undermine a person’s physical, or psychological integrity or his well being. Elder abuse can manifest itself in the form of violence, neglect, mistreatment, or financial exploitation. To varying degrees, it is present in all socio-economic levels and in all communities and cultures.” Dialogue Bulletin, Volume 1, Number 1, April 2003 Réseau québécois contre l’abus envers les aînés

  3. Elder Abuse Consultation Centre • Offers direct service to clients in the CLSC territory experiencing abuse • Consultation service for professionals • Multidisciplinary and multisectorial consultation team

  4. Elder Abuse Consultation Centre • Provincial Info Abuse line • Trainings for professionals • Prevention programs for the general population • Research projects

  5. Elder Abuse: A Complex Challenge • Physical, psychological and social impact of aging increases dependence and vulnerability of older adults to abuse, neglect and exploitation • Abuse is not a single phenomenon, which complicates detection and evaluation • Different forms of abuse require different forms of intervention

  6. Elder Abuse Includes: • Physical mistreatment • Sexual abuse • Psychological (verbal, emotional) mistreatment • Material (financial) exploitation • Denial of human rights • Neglect (active or passive)

  7. Physical Other Psychological Financial Neglect Financial by family Breakdown of types of abuse: Info-Abuse Line of CSSS Cavendish, 2007-2008:

  8. Elder Abuse Screening is: • Monitoring for signs of actual or potential abuse • Evaluating level of risk • Prioritizing response

  9. Why Screen? • Estimated percentage of abused older adults (over 65 years old) is between 4 - 10% • Most hidden form of violence • What we see is the tip of the iceberg

  10. Challenges of Screening • Ambivalence and fear of the client • The professional wants to help the client, who in turn is often protecting the abuser

  11. Why is elder abuse hidden? Fear of: • abandonment • placement • imprisonment of a relative • vengeance or reprisals • loss of services

  12. Why is elder abuse hidden? • Inability to communicate • Shame • Guilt • Belief in privacy of family problems

  13. Detection - What to Look for: • Physical evidence • Reluctance or hesitation to talk openly • Avoidance of eye contact, verbal contact with caregiver or service provider • Contradictory statements • Ambivalence

  14. Detection - What to Look for: • Passivity, withdrawal • Helplessness, hopelessness • Depression • Questionable financial transactions

  15. Questions to Ask: • Is there evidence of mistreatment? • Is there a past history of abuse or neglect • Has there been an attempt to solve the problem, and was it successful? • What are the senior’s attitudes and feelings about the situation?

  16. Questions to Ask: • Is the senior competent to make decisions, and understand the consequences of these decision? • Is the senior able to protect him/herself in an situation of abuse or neglect?

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