The Challenge of Elder Abuse

In collaboration with the Seniors At-Risk System Coordinator and other helping agencies and health providers, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph’s Community Support Services staff confronted the problem of elder abuse in 1997 – long before the problem hit the headlines.

Working with community representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, Guelph Wellington Police Services Board, mental health services, long term care, social services, the municipal housing authority, a women’s shelter, and a local lawyer, we have developed an interdisciplinary committee to review cases where elder abuse is suspected or confirmed.

By bringing a wide range of perspectives and skillsets to consider the problem, the committee has been able to come up with effective, and in many cases, preventative rather than reactive responses. This approach has received national and international attention.

The program the committee has helped to develop has three parts:

  • a Senior Peer Support Program that gives older adults access to information and support from their peers
  • a formal Response System that coordinates community services through a collaborative response network
  • a Public Awareness Program to educate the larger community about the problem.

In June 2003, we worked as part of the committee to help start a telephone support line for people who are experiencing elder abuse or are concerned about someone who is at risk.  In the first seven months of operation, the line helped 162 callers, 61% of whom were women.

The network developed to deal with elder abuse has also generated another benefit. Some forms of dementia can result in acts that could be termed criminal, like shoplifting, or are somewhat frightening to members of the public who don’t know how to interpret unexpected behaviour.  Our working relationship with the police has opened new and more effective alternatives that police can use to respond to these types of problems.

For example, laying charges and involving the criminal justice system is a route that is both expensive and inappropriate for people who are suffering from dementia. As a more effective alternative, the police can now use their powers of discretion to refer individuals to appropriate services where they can get the help they need in a timely manner and continue to live successfully in their community.

Contact

If you, or someone you know, needs help or advice about concerns related to the elderly, please contact the Seniors at Risk System Coordinator at 1-844-CMHA WW3 (264-2993).

If you are in crisis or require immediate assistance, please call Here 24/7 at 1-844-HERE-247 (437-3247), TTY: 1-877-688-5501!