Abuse of Older Adults

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is any action or lack of action – something done or not done on purpose – that harms an older adult. The harm can be:

• physical
• emotional
• sexual
• financial
• withholding or giving too much medication
• neglect

Neglecting an older adult by not doing something can be as abusive as hurting the older adult physically. It is also important to distinguish between abused caused by others and self-neglect by older adults who are unable or unwilling to take care of themselves.

Elder abuse is often caused by a close friend, family member or caregiver. And it can be hard to detect. Some signs might be obvious, such as bruising or other injuries. Other signs are more subtle, such as anxiety, depression, missing money, etc.

For more information about each type of abuse, including signs of abuse, visit OakNet.

Last updated: May 2021

Why does elder abuse occur?

There are many different reasons, as each case is different.

Some reasons include:

• a history of abuse between family members (for example, spousal abuse becomes elder abuse, or abused children become abused caregivers to older parents)
• dependency (for example, the older adult becomes dependent on family members, or someone is dependent upon the older adult for money or housing)
• stress (which can be caused by mental or physical illness, financial pressures, lack of support systems, lack of choice for accommodation for an older adult, or fear of one’s own aging)
• alcohol or drug use
• greed
• lack of knowledge about the degree of care and needs of an older adult
• lack of respect given to older adults in a society that values youth, self-reliance, and energy
• lack of professional awareness about the problem of elder abuse, so that it might continue undetected

Last updated: May 2021

What if I am being abused?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of physical harm, call the police (at 911) immediately.

If you are experiencing abuse, it is not your fault. You may want to protect your spouse, children, caregiver or trusted friend, even if they are treating you badly. But abusive bahaviour is not healthy for you or the person causing harm. It is okay to get help.

There are help lines, organizations and individuals you can reach out to for help. See the “Getting Help” and “Resources” pages on OakNet for contact info.

Last updated: May 2021

What if I think someone else is being abused?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of physical harm, call the police (at 911) immediately.

When you notice signs of abuse, having a conversation about it with the older adult can be difficult.

You may wonder why the older adult has not told you about the abuse. There are many reasons why people do not report abuse. They may be ashamed of what is happening or not wanting to get a family member into trouble.

There are many ways to start the conversation with the older adult about the abuse. How you do so depends on the individual and the situation.

For more information, visit the “Having a Conversation” page on OakNet.

Last updated: May 2021

How can we prevent elder abuse?

There are many tools to help prevent situations in which older adults can be abused.

One tool is for older adults to plan for their future while they are well, healthy and still independent. This can include making legal documents appointing one or more people to make decisions for them if they lose mental capacity (the ability to make decisions for themself) in the future. For example, a Personal Directive and Enduring Power of Attorney.

Another tool is to think about security – both of the older adult and their property.

For more information about preventing abuse, visit OakNet.

Last updated: May 2021

How can we keep the abuser away?

There are legal tools to help keep the person causing harm away.

Depending on the urgency of the situation and the relationship between the person experiencing abuse and the person causing harm, a judge can grant different types of court orders to stop contact.

A few options include:

• protection orders (if the person causing harm is a family member)
• exclusive possession orders (if the person lives with the person causing harm)
• restraining orders
• peace bonds (if the person causing harm has or might commit a crime)

For more information on each type of order, see the “Keeping the Abuser Away” page on OakNet.

Last updated: May 2021

What about abuse of people in care facilities?

A starting point may be to report abuse to the manager or owner of the residence. If that doesn’t help, you may have to look elsewhere for help.

Alberta’s Protection for Persons in Care office investigates reports of abuse involving adults who receive care in publicly-funded care or support services.

The Protection for Persons in Care Act also requires service providers to take reasonable steps to protect persons in their care from abuse.

For more information, including contact information, visit the Government of Alberta’s website.

Last updated: May 2021

What about fraud against older adults?

Fraudsters often target older adults. Scams could be phone calls asking the person to buy gift cards, door-to-door sales, etc.

For more information, including where to get help, visit the “Scams & Fraud” page on OakNet.

Last updated: May 2021