Are elders living in care homes, retirement homes, seniors' lodges, nursing homes, retirement lodges, health facilities and other homes for the aged being mistreated?
According to the discussion paper entitled "Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults" by Health Canada, “Canadians have been slow to investigate the abuse and neglect of older adults in institutions. Despite this, there is evidence to suggest that this is a widespread problem.”
Is senior abuse happening in long-term care facilities for the aged? According to Constable Kathleen Savage, past Seniors Liaison of the Crime Prevention Unit of the Calgary Police Service, “There is abuse but it is not running rampant. Sometimes it isn’t necessarily the people who work there but it is other seniors in the residence or families that come in and abuse people. Families, for the most part, are the biggest offenders of abuse, which is more financial. In the U.S. the abuse is more physical and neglect but in Canada the abuse is more financial.”
There is no clear definition of elder abuse which makes the matter more complicated. Without a clear definition, how can we determine if someone is a victim of abuse? Having one definitive interpretation of elder abuse would make it easier to develop legislation to address the issue, compile statistics, determine treatment, and ultimately stop the abuse. Changes to the criminal code to define and stop elder abuse would make it easier to prosecute abusers.
Why Does Abuse Happen in Institutions?
Elder abuse usually happens in senior's facilities due to a combination of the following:
- Financial incentives in institutions that contribute to poor quality care
- Poor enforcement of nursing home standards or inconsistent standards
- Lack of highly-qualified, well-trained staff, including a lack of training about senior abuse
- Burnout of institutional staff and work-related stress
- Low-paid staff that is often over-worked
- Powerlessness and vulnerability of elderly residents
- Retaliation of staff on senior’s aggressions
- Families pushed to the limit emotionally and financially
- Lack of public awareness about senior abuse
Society’s negative attitude toward aging and geriatrics may contribute to elder abuse. The elderly are often perceived as powerless and incompetent. As a result, ageist attitudes can lead to discriminatory actions and abusive treatment. Abusers can lack respect toward seniors based on their discrimination of them and feel no guilt for the abuse or pain they inflict. If seniors have adopted this negative view on aging themselves, they can easily feel the abuse they receive is deserved.
There is a misconception that seniors that are abused in institutions are physically or mentally incapable. The opposite is true – functioning seniors who take care of themselves and make their own decisions are often victims. The competent seniors are normally dependent on the abuser in some way
According to Constable Savage, “The biggest concern is not in the institutions but in family life. We have way more problems with at-home seniors because the sky is the limit. The average senior homeowner single woman with money gets ripped off $50,000 per time per hustler on work that never gets done.”
Consequences of Abuse in Seniors
- Pre-existing physical problems can be made worse
- Decrease in self-esteem and feelings of self-worth
- Deep feelings of blame
- Loss of coping skills
- Increased isolation from loved ones
- Increased dependency on the abuser
- Suicidal thoughts
Not just mistreated seniors suffer from abuse. Abusers can experience feelings of shame and guilt and their personal relationships can be affected.
The majority of care workers in institutions are there out of a desire to help people. They often use their own time to help seniors and have compassion for the people they care for. Like Constable Savage points out, “There are a lot of fantastic caregivers out there and a lot of places that are really good. It’s hard work and it is a job not everyone can do. I’ve never met so many incredible people in my life that can do such a tough job.”
According to Joyce Jones, a registered nurse working in the mental health area in Alberta who sees abuse in institutions first hand, “When the nursing home staff are paid minimum wage, have minimal training, no chance for advancement and little input, they become complacent and it just becomes a job.”
Why Seniors Don't Report Abuse
The reasons seniors do not report abuse against them are as varied as the seniors themselves:
- They do not believe the police or whomever they report the abuse to will be able to help them.
- They fear the abuser’s retaliation if they report the abuse (i.e. more abuse.)
- Feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem stemming from the abuse keep seniors silent.
- They have become so dependent on the abuser that they don’t know how they can carry on without their assistance.
- If the senior’s child is the abuser, the senior often wants to protect their child.
Loved ones often don't report suspected abuse because they do not know whom to tell, they fear the consequences, or the senior begs them not to say anything. In some cases people don’t realize a crime is being committed or they don’t want to be involved.
Jones offers another explanation. “When people finally have their parent or loved one settled in a home, they are often too drained to even complain about the way the system works.”
According to "Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults," “There appears to be some evidence that abuse is associated with increased mortality rates in institutions.”
Sources:
Tapp-McDougall, Caroline. The Complete Canadian Eldercare Guide. John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd, 2004.
Boyack, Virginia. Golden Years – Hidden Fears: Elder Abuse Calgary’s Kerby Centre, 1997. This guide for front-line workers contains a wealth of information for everyone.
Abuse of Older Adults by the Alberta Law Foundation
The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (accessed October 1, 2010).
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (accessed October 1, 2010).
Medline Plus. "Elder Abuse" (accessed October 1, 2010).
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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