Abuse of Older Adults: A Glimpse from the Northwest Territories Barb Hood, Executive Director: NWT Seniors’ Society February 19, 2014

What is the abuse of older adults? Older Adult Abuse A single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. WHO (2003)

Abuse of Older Adults in the NWT There are many factors affecting older adult abuse rates in the North: population size, language barriers, geographical isolation, varying service provider responses. Instances are exacerbated by housing shortages, overcrowding, poverty, isolation, substance abuse and loss of traditional life style, and the legacy of the residential school system. “Elders suffer emotional pain when young people say, ‘you don’t love me because you don’t give me money.’” - NWT Elder Ulukhaktok Workshop 2013

Some Facts & Figures In 2013, 25% of the Emergency Protection Orders issued were for older adults in the NWT. The number of older adults in the NWT is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 years: from 3,828 in 2009 to 8,835 in Older adults are the fastest growing demographic in the NWT. In the first study of its kind conducted across the NWT in 2010, 71% of older adult respondents said abuse of older adults was a problem in their community. The most prominent types identified were: financial, neglect, emotional, and verbal abuse 47% said they didn’t know how to protect themselves or others 38% said they weren’t sure or didn’t know where to go for help

Perceptions of Abuse of Older Adults as a Problem in Yellowknife and in other Research Communities

Perceptions of the Most Common Forms of Abuse by Gender

Some Facts & Figures In the same study, service providers provided feedback on older adult abuse in their communities: Service providers in the NWT often have unclear or limited authority to respond to abuse In several communities, service providers and volunteers may talk to suspected abusers and/or victims within their professional capacity or on their personal time. They take these actions even though they pose risks to themselves, their jobs, and their relationships What’s needed? trusting, respectful worker- senior relationships naming/identifying abuse positive intergenerational relationships consistent and regular positive responses community-based cultural and language appropriate services proactive, visible and cohesive services and front-line workers.

NWT Network to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults One of the results of the Leading the Way research and conference was the creation of the NWT Network, which now has over 65 members who share: A vision that older adults live in safe, caring communities where there is zero tolerance of abuse and neglect The goal that abuse of older adults throughout the Northwest Territories is not tolerated and networks are established at the community and regional level to support older adults to be safe and secure in their home “ We are not starting from scratch, we are building on the work completed to date... We are not trying to push a big rock, it has already started moving.” - Leading the Way facilitator 2011

What’s Next? 7 Steps for Action 1.Communications 2.Education and Awareness 3.Prevention 4.Training 5.Networks to Prevent and Respond to Abuse of Older Adults 6.Policy and Legislation 7.Funding The participants at the Leading the Way Conference in 2011, the Framework for Action identified 7 priority areas for immediate action to continue to influence our work in the NWT:

Abuse of older adults and the role of service providers in addressing the issue How is older adult abuse best represented in relation to family violence practice, policies, legislation? How can response-based practices be used in older adult abuse cases? Above all, it is a complex issue and requires an interdisciplinary response. All service providers, policy makers, and community groups should be trained to understand and respond to the abuse of older adults. Drawing by Student, Fort Providence “You can’t go wrong if you start from your heart.”

Creating Safe Communities Workshop, Yellowknife 2014

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