1. Facilitator’s Guide

2. Some Background:
Developed by the Prevention of Elder Abuse Committee of York Region, a volunteer group of community seniors and professionals in healthcare, social services and senior care agency staff.
Through a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we are able to bring this workshop to groups throughout York Region.
Facilitator’s Notes:
Welcome everyone and thank them for coming
Introduce yourself and a little about you
Briefly describe the partnership to raise awareness around elder abuse

3. Objectives of this Workshop:
To explore ways to identify, prevent and respond to elder abuse
To start the conversation about the issue of elder abuse
To become comfortable talking about elder abuse
Facilitator’s Notes:
Describe what we hope to accomplish with this workshop

4. Outline: • A look at elder abuse (what, when, where, how, who, why?)
Conversation/Examples
• Resources available
Facilitator’s Notes:
Review the three sections of today’s workshop with the group.
• The “Look at Elder Abuse” section broadens understanding of abuse and the different, and sometimes hidden, forms it can take.
• The “Learning Through Play” section looks at and discusses some potential elder abuse cases and gives audience members the opportunity to act in skits, and includes
small prizes for audience participation.
• The “Resources” section provides the tools to help in the case of suspected abuse of a senior.

6. What is elder abuse? Facilitator’s Notes:
Ask the audience: “So, what is elder abuse?”
Encourage discussion, reiterate audience comments and build on definitions and ideas shared.
Ask Participants for their opinions on what is elder abuse, how they would define it

7. Definition
Elder Abuse is any Action or Inaction which causes harm to an older person
Facilitator’s Notes:
Read slide definition
Add “Elder Abuse is most often defined as: “Single or repeated acts, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” (World Health Organization, 2002)
Allow for comments and discussion of the definitions.
World Health Organization

8. Do you know your rights?
The right to be free from ageism, stereotyping and other discrimination
The right to participate in making decisions about your life, to the full extent of capability
The right to be free from abuse of all kinds: financial, physical and emotional, to be free from neglect and exploitation within your home, community and health care settings
Facilitator’s Notes:
Stress to participants that they do have rights and what those are

9. Who are the abusers? Facilitator’s Notes:
Ask audience: “Who are the abusers?”
Allow for answers and quick discussion.
If someone says, “Anyone,” stop discussion and say, “Right! Anyone. Often it is someone they know and often someone they care about; a spouse, child, grandchild, neighbour, landlord or financial advisor.”
“An abuser is a person who limits or controls the rights and freedoms of an older adult.”
Ask Participants who they think might be an abuser and what might contribute to them being an abuser (position of dependence, trust, access to seniors’ funds, etc.)

10. Strangers
Friends/Neighbors
Family
Financial Advisors
Health Providers
Employees
Employers

11. What are the forms of abuse?
Physical
Financial
Emotional
Neglect
Facilitator’s Notes:
Review forms of abuse mentioned during discussion.
Reading the following definitions is not required, but they are here if needed:
Financial: The most common form of elder abuse, financial abuse often refers to the theft or misuse of money or property like household goods, clothes or jewelry. It can also include withholding funds and/or fraud.
Neglect: Intentional or unintentional, neglect occurs when a person fails to provide assistance or care.
Psychological/Emotional: An action or words that causes feelings of distress, fear, sense of worthlessness or loss of dignity. This kind of abuse diminishes the identity, dignity and self-worth of a person.
Physical: Any physical pain or injury that is willfully inflicted upon a person or unreasonable confinement or punishment, resulting in physical harm.
Sexual: Any sexual behaviour directed towards a person, without the person’s full knowledge or consent.
Denial of Rights
Sexual

12. Can you think of any examples?
Stealing Money
Computer Scams
Verbal/Emotional Abuse
Over/Under Medicating
Telephone Scams
Rough Handling
Ignoring, neglecting
responsibilities
Healthcare Abuse
Withholding Mail/
Making Decisions
Intimidation

13. What stops us from talking about or reporting elder abuse?
Relationship
Shame
Self-Doubt
Fear
Facilitator’s Notes:
Spend some time on exploring the many reasons seniors might not want to talk about or report abuse
Fear- the abuser may go to jail, abuse might escalate, what will happen to me if this person is removed from my life, visits may stop, etc.
Shame – How did I let this happen to me? What kind of parent raises children to do this?
Self-Doubt – Is this abuse? Did it really happen? Do I deserve it?
Who can I tell? Will they believe me? Will it help?
Values/
Beliefs
Who Would I Tell?

14. Prevention Tips
Be cautious about opening joint bank accounts.
Do not give anyone your banking information or PIN number.
Look after your own banking, have cheques deposited to your account automatically.
Do not give up control of your money or belongings unless you feel unable to manage them.
Facilitator’s Notes:
Set up the scenario for the skit

15. Don’t engage with strangers by phone, email or at the door.
Prevention Tips
Have a will and review it annually, with a lawyer or someone you trust.
Don’t engage with strangers by phone, or at the door.
Let someone you trust know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Look for contacts outside of your family. Develop friendships with people of all ages.
Facilitator’s Notes:
Set up the scenario for the skit

16. Prevention Tips
Carry a cell phone and be sure important contacts know your number.
Keep your car locked at all times, whether parked or driving.
Attend educational events, seminars, social outings. Stay informed and involved.
Shop in pairs or groups. Avoid being alone in unfamiliar surroundings.
Facilitator’s Notes:
Set up the scenario for the skit

17. Prevention Tips Talk to someone you trust about your concerns.
Do not expect others to know what you need, tell them.
If your family is not helpful, find someone outside of the family that you trust.
Do not be afraid to ask for help. Help is available in many languages.
Facilitator’s Notes:
Set up the scenario for the skit

18. Who Can I Call? York Regional Police: 1-866-876-5423
Seniors Safety Line:
Crime-Stoppers:
310 COPE:
CCAC:
Facilitator’s Notes:
Talk about who they can contact
Give some background on these contacts (what they might expect, when one may be more appropriate over another, etc.)

19. Starting the Conversation…
Please take pamphlets
and brochures to read, share and keep on hand!
Facilitator’s Notes:
Stress they take the hand-out brochures and point out the PEACYR brochure and the contact numbers on the back, as the most important resource

20. Feedback: Did today’s Workshop… • Help you “see” it?
• Help you “name” it?
• Help you become more comfortable
talking to your peers about elder
abuse?
Facilitator’s Notes:
Ask Participants to complete their Evaluation Forms and to add comments, etc.
Point out what we are looking for

21. Thank You! Please complete Evaluation and take brochures