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

Elder Abuse in Canada According to the National Elder Mistreatment Prevalence Study by Dr. Lynn McDonald 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

Types of Elder Abuse Emotional/psychological abuse Financial exploitation Physical abuse Sexual abuse Neglect

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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