DEALING WITH ELDER ABUSE WHAT TO KNOW AND

DEALING WITH ELDER ABUSE WHAT TO KNOW AND WATCH FOR

DEFINING ELDER ABUSE • Elder abuse is defined as an action or inaction that results in harm or neglect of an older person • Abusers may be family members, friends, caregivers, persons in a position of trust or power, or strangers • Abuse can happen as an isolated incident or a chronic pattern • Neglect can form part of the elder abuse spectrum, and generally refers to an older person’s failure to receive adequate care or resources 2

ELDER ABUSE IN CANADA • According to the National Elder Mistreatment Prevalence Study by Dr. Lynn Mc. Donald in 2015, 8. 2% of older adults had been abused in Canada in the past year • Emotional and financial abuse are most prevalent forms of abuse • Recent CARP poll indicated, 1 in 10 respondents said they had been abused and 35% knew someone who had been abused • Not included are those victims of abuse who are unaware they are being abused, particularly in cases of financial exploitation 3

TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE • Emotional/psychological abuse • Financial exploitation • Physical abuse • Sexual abuse • Neglect 4

EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE • Shouting and bullying • Insults or name calling • Threats of violence or abandonment • Intimidation or belittling • Humiliation • Harassment • Treating an older person like a child • Ignoring the person or isolating them from family, friends, or regular activities • Inappropriately infringing on their privacy 5

WHAT TO WATCH FOR Indicators of emotional/psychological abuse: • Heightened levels of upset, agitation, startling • Unexplained feelings of hopelessness, guilt, inadequacy or shame • Unusual withdrawal from family and friends • Discomfort or anxiety in the presence of particular people • Reluctance to speak about the situation 6

PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE • Violent or rough behaviour: pushing, kicking, beating, hitting, grabbing • Unwanted sexual contact of any kind • Confinement or restraint • Touching without a consent 7

WHAT TO WATCH FOR Indicators of physical abuse: • Bruises/black eyes, cuts, welts, rope marks, burns • Swelling, fractures, sprains • Untreated medical issues • Broken assistive devices • Torn or disheveled clothing • Restricted movement • Stress 8

FINANCIAL ABUSE Overall, the most common type of abuse is financial • 62% of abuse victims are financially abused Two sub-categories: • In approximately half of all cases (48%), victims were unaware that the financial abuse was occurring • In 25% of cases, abuse was done using threats and intimidation 9

FINANCIAL ABUSE Examples of financial abuse: • Misuse of funds or property • Theft of cash, jewelry or other property • Exploitation or scams • Abuse of power of attorney • Fraud • Forgery of cheques or other documents 10

WHAT TO WATCH FOR Indicators of financial abuse: • Unpaid bills / No money for basics • Absence of aids, medications, etc. • Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives • Forged signature or Power of Attorney granted under unusual circumstances • Client complains of not knowing where money/assets have gone • Abrupt changes client investing plan, will/accounts • Family/representative refuse to spend money on behalf of client 11

RISK FACTORS FOR ABUSE Older people (especially women), can be more frequent targets of abuse, because: • They may be unable to call for help or protest • They are more dependent on others • They are not comfortable being assertive • Many people have access to their homes • They fear not being believed 12

REPORTING ABUSE Older Canadians can face many barriers to reporting their abuse: • Victims may have restricted mobility or other physical or cognitive limitations that prevent them from seeking help • Abusers are often caregivers or in a position of power over the older person, which removes control from the victim • Victims may be isolated from outside resources • Other barriers may exist: language, transportation, lack of knowledge of resources available to assist 13

WHAT ADVISORS CAN DO • Become aware of your firm’s procedures • Be observant • Stay vigilant and informed about your clients’ situations • Seek help from your firm if you see red flags 14