Abuse of Older Abuse of Older Manitobans: Manitobans: A Collaborative Framework and A Collaborative Framework and Action Plan Action Plan

Moira Horgan – JonesSue Mackenzie

MANITOBA NETWORK FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE OF OLDER ADULTS

Agenda for the dayAgenda for the dayWho we are and why we are hereCommon understanding of the

problemResearch and identification of

issuesWhat needs to be consideredWho needs to do it When

Who We AreWho We Are

Manitoba Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Older Adults (MNPAOA)

MissionTo act as a central point of contact for provincial

efforts and to support regional and community initiatives to prevent abuse of older adults.

Vision Older adults in Manitoba will live in a safe

environment of respect and dignity.

Network GoalsNetwork Goals

Support Regional and Community Efforts

Develop/Adapt Education and Training Resources

Raise Public AwarenessEncourage research and advise on

issues relating to abuse of older adults

NetworkNetworkFunded by the Seniors and

Healthy Aging SecretariatLed by and housed at MSOS Over 30 partners and growingStudy of other Canadian

NetworksWebsiteBuilding our Future

Project GoalsProject GoalsNew partnershipsHow we will work togetherWhat we will do (action plan)How we will share our knowledge and

resources

A Little Bit of TriviaA Little Bit of TriviaClassical Greek culture supported

euthanasia for the incurable old.

Some ancient cultures supported ritual suicide of tribal elders during drought so food and water could be reserved for the more productive young.

King Lear – Shakespeare writes about the king’s maltreatment by his sons.

Canadian HistoryCanadian History 1973  Newfoundland passes  the Neglected Adults Welfare Act,

creating a mandatory reporting obligation for “any person who has information which leads him to believe that an adult is a neglected adult...”.

Early mention of abuse & neglect in Canadian literature in the 1980s. Local service providers in some communities are beginning to identify family violence as an issue affecting older adults

1990s Development of New Horizons and other Health Canada family violence prevention initiatives. These provide many Canadian communities with their first opportunity to explore abuse issues in later life.

2000 Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse is created as a legal entity.

2002  Canada is the host location for the development of the Toronto Declaration on the Global Prevention of Elder Abuse.  Declaration is based on the recommendations of the United Nations International Plan of Action adopted by all countries in Madrid, 2002.

2003 1st provincial senior abuse awareness campaign (Alberta). 2004  (October 19) Ontario marks its first Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Manitoba AchievementsManitoba Achievements 1999 Manitoba Law Reform Commission on Abuse 1999 Establishment of an abuse line 2001 Manitoba proclaims Protection for Persons in

Care Act. 2002 Establishment of a Manitoba Strategy on Abuse

of Older Adults 2003  Manitoba establishes "Expect respect" initiative

to help raise awareness of abuse and promote respect of older adults in the province.

2005 RESOLVE study 2006 WEAAD June 15th 2006 Manitoba Network for the Prevention of Abuse of

Older Adults (MNPAOA) is established 2007 Establishment of a Safe Suite (A&O) 2008 First Manitoba Conference 2009 CAG in Winnipeg devotes one day to abuse

issues 2010 Building our Future – consultations and strategy

for change

The field of prevention of abuse and neglect of older adults in Canada is lagging behind other areas of family violence prevention. It is largely the case that multiple small-scale projects and a few noteworthy larger programs exist in a patchwork of service delivery and under-coordinated effort. It is also far from being able to use practice standards such as are available for other fields (e.g. health).

Promising approaches in the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of older adults in Canada (2007)

Canadian Network for thePrevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)

Prevalence of Elder AbusePrevalence of Elder AbuseActual incidence and prevalence of elder

abuse is unknown and difficult to measure. It is believed that 4 -10% of all older adults

have been a victim at some time.As part of an1999 study, 4000 older

Canadians were interviewed to examine their experience regarding emotional and financial abuse as well as physical and sexual violence committed against them by children, caregivers and spouses.  ◦ approximately 7% of seniors interviewed

reported that they had experienced some form of emotional or financial abuse by an adult child, caregiver or spouse within the past five years

◦ emotional abuse was reported most frequently ◦ financial abuse was the second most reported

form of abuse ◦ almost 2% of older Canadians reported

experiencing more than one form of abuse

Why so difficult to measure?Why so difficult to measure?Vast majority (80%) of cases go

unreported or unsubstantiated.Definitions of abuse of older

adults can differ from agency to agency, and person to person.◦Subject to cultural interpretation

Definition of Abuse of Older Definition of Abuse of Older Adults Adults

According to the World Health Organization, abuse and neglect of older adults can be a single or a repeated act. It can occur in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust or where a person is in a position of power or authority.

Consequences of Elder Consequences of Elder Abuse Abuse

◦Consequences are devastating and include: Increased mortality and morbidity

Poor quality of life Emotional distress Loss of property and security

Ageism Ageism

◦Elder abuse is one of the most extreme forms of ageism

◦Ageism remains one of the least recognized forms of oppression

◦Ageism intersects with other forms of oppression (e.g. gender, race, class, etc.)

VisionVisionOlder adults in Manitoba will live in a

safe environment of respect and dignity.

Education and TrainingEducation and Training

Here we speak to the education and training of professionals working with older people:

Health care professionalsLaw enforcementSenior serving professionalsBanking industryRetail i.e. Grocery, pharmacies,

etc

Public AwarenessPublic Awareness

Engaging the public at all levels we will need to reach them through all media forms such as:

PrintTVRadioPeriodicals

Policy & LegislationPolicy & LegislationPolicies are those actions

adopted and pursued by a government, political party, organizations, corporations

Legislation is the law of the Province it usually has consequences if you break it. It requires members of the legislature to enact.

Senior’s advocateSenior’s advocate

A mechanism for a Seniors’ Advocate to investigate, review investigative results, and decide on an appropriate course of action to remove or reduce the effects of the causes of distress affecting Older adults in Manitoba.

ResearchResearch

Identification of all areas where we need more information so that better actions, decisions and programs can be planned and implemented

Abuse Line ServicesAbuse Line Services

Currently these services are available 8 – 4 at the Secretariat

Some consider this inadequate

Resources and SupportsResources and Supports

Resources and supports are interlinked and include knowledge, information, materials, funding, tools etc

Competency & CapacityCompetency & CapacityIn this context we are considering the

ability to make decisions; How do we determine if the older person is competent?

If indeed there is competency is there physical capacity to act on the decision.

Ultimately we are talking about venerability

Reporting and ResponseReporting and Response

Reporting of abuse requires a means clearly understood by all Manitobans

Response is the way we respond when abuse of older people is identified

IssuesIssuesEducation and TrainingPublic AwarenessPolicy and LegislationSenior’s AdvocateReporting and ResponseResearchAbuse line ServicesResources and SupportsCompetency -decision making

capacity