Preventing elder abuse through understanding

Have you heard talk about elder abuse? Some of you might remember the awareness campaign featuring Yvon Deschamps. When we think about abuse, we often imagine someone being pushed and shoved, but abuse encompasses much more than that.

What is abuse?

Elder abuse involves one or more actions or the lack of an appropriate action, which causes harm to an elderly person. Abuse occurs in a relationship where there should be trust.

There are different types of abuse:

• Psychological abuse: being threatened, infantilized, ignored or isolated, etc.
• Physical abuse: being hit, injured, assaulted, etc.
• Ageism: being discriminated against because of age
• Violation of human rights: being forced to undergo medical treatment, being prevented from having visitors, not being involved in decisions, etc.
• Property or financial abuse: being a victim of financial exploitation, having belongings stolen or being pressured regarding an inheritance, etc.
• Sexual abuse: being touched, being a victim of exhibitionism, being victimized for the expression of sexuality or sexual orientation, etc.
• Organizational abuse: gaps in any of the care or services provided, lack of personalization of care, etc.

Finally, abuse can take the form of neglect, in other words an absence of care or failure to meet the needs of an elderly person, and is not necessarily intentional. For example: failure to follow the indicated dosage for medication or inappropriate assistance or not enough assistance with personal hygiene tasks or dietary needs, etc.

Regardless of the type of abuse or whether or not it is intentional, this situation causes harm to the elderly person and causes the elderly person distress.

Who are the likely perpetrators of abusive behaviour?

It can be someone in the elderly person’s circle (e.g. a family member, a neighbour, a friend) or someone who provides care or services to the elderly person. The closeness and the bond of trust with the perpetrator make it all the more difficult for the elderly person to talk about the situation.

How do you spot abuse?

Signs of elder abuse can be expressed in different ways. Here are a few examples: infantilization, change in behaviour, depressed mood, anxiety, mistrust or withdrawal, social isolation, bruises (blue), wounds or injuries, genital wounds, neglected hygiene, unsanitary living environment, malnutrition, weight loss, deterioration of health, increase in the number of banking transactions, disappearance of valuable items, insufficient funds to pay bills, etc.

What should you do?

If you think you are a witness to elder abuse, first try to identify the signs. Listen carefully to and reassure the elderly person that you are there for him or her. Create a bond of trust. Do not be afraid to ask the person questions, to decode messages. If you have any doubt, do not hesitate to call the Ligne Aide Abus Aînés (1 888 489-2287) toll-free helpline or visit the www.maltraitanceaines.gouv.qc.ca website (in French). The Ligne Aide Abus Aînés helpline provides a listening and referral service and will be able to provide you with support and direct you to the appropriate resources.