Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 111 Abuse of Older Adults Last Updated: June 29, 2010 PLEA gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of Justice Canada towards the revision of this publication. What is Abuse of Older Adults? Abuse of older adults is an act or behaviour by anyone, including a caregiver, which results in harm to an older person's well-being or safety. Caregivers are often family members, but include anyone who provides care to the older person in their own home or care facility. Issues of power and control underlie all abuse situations and the most vulnerable people are at the most risk. Abuse of older adults may take the form of financial abuse, emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect. • Financial abusemay involve forcing a person to sell their personal belongings or property. It may also involve pressuring them to pay for products and services that are not needed. Stealing a person's money, pension cheques or possessions, or withholding money that is required for daily expenses are other examples. Theft, fraud, forgery, extortion and the wrongful use of a power of attorney are also forms of financial abuse. Older victims of financial abuse often have a close relationship with their abuser. • Emotional abuse involves humiliating, insulting, threatening or controlling behaviour. Abusers may socially isolate an older person or threaten to have them placed in a facility. Abusers may also unnecessarily restrict or remove an older person's decision-making powers. • Physical abuse includes things like slapping, pushing, kicking, shaking, misuse of medication and forced confinement, for example, not allowing an older person out of a room, bed or chair for extended periods of time. It also includes sexual abuse such as inappropriate touching during personal care routines, sexual comments or sexual activity without the adult's consent. • Neglect may involve abandonment or withholding things such as food, personal care or medical attention. Is Abuse of Older Adults Really a Crime? Currently there is no law that specifically identifies abuse of older adults as a separate crime. However, abuse of older adults may involve crimes such as assault, sexual assault, forced confinement, uttering threats, theft, fraud, forgery and extortion. These behaviours are crimes regardless of the age of the victim and are dealt with under the Criminal Code. Neglect may also sometimes amount to criminal negligence if the behaviour involves a reckless disregard for another person's life or safety. Failing to act when there is a duty to do so can also amount to criminal negligence. Anyone who suspects criminal abuse and neglect should report the behaviours to the police. Older adults are among the most vulnerable victims of abuse and many are dependent on others to meet even their everyday needs. Tell someone. Are There Other Laws That Protect Against Abuse of Older Adults? In Saskatchewan, The Victims of Domestic Violence Act can help protect older adults from violence and Continued on page113...
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