Eliminating Elder Abuse

Who We Are

The Committee Against Abuse of Older Persons (CAAOP), a committee of the Hamilton Council on Aging, is a network of over 20 community organizations, which has been providing education on elder abuse issues since 1985. We are interested in advocacy, education and linking individuals to services that assist older adults at risk of being abused. Our mandate is to strengthen the community’s ability to prevent, recognize and respond to the abuse of older persons.

What is Elder Abuse?

The abuse of older persons is any action or inaction that causes harm to an older person. The abuser may be a family member, friend, neighbour, or care provider.

 

Signs of Elder Abuse

  • Suspicious or unexplained injuries
  • Poor hygeine, bedsores
  • Anxiety, depression, fear, isolation, confinement
  • Malnutrition or dehydration
  • Weight Loss or Misuse of Medication
  • Lack of food or other necessities

Forms of Elder Abuse

Financial Abuse

  • Misuse of Power of Attorney
  • Stealing, theft, forgery
  • Misusing money, cheques or property
  • Unexplained disappearance of personal belongings such as clothing or jewellery

Physical Abuse

  • Pushing, kicking, shoving, shaking
  • Hitting, slapping, poking
  • Pulling hair, biting, pinching
  • Sexual Assault

Emotional Abuse

  • Words that are hurtful make the senior feel unworthy
  • Treating an older adult like a child
  • Shunning, ignoring, or lack or acknowledgement
  • Threats of institutionalization – “Do what I say or Ill put you in a home.”
  • Not allowing the senior to socialize

Financial Abuse

  • Misuse of Power of Attorney
  • Stealing, theft, forgery
  • Misusing money, cheques or property
  • Unexplained disappearance of personal belongings such as clothing or jewellery

Physical Abuse

  • Pushing, kicking, shoving, shaking
  • Hitting, slapping, poking
  • Pulling hair, biting, pinching
  • Sexual Assault

Emotional Abuse

  • Words that are hurtful make the senior feel unworthy
  • Treating an older adult like a child
  • Shunning, ignoring, or lack or acknowledgement
  • Threats of institutionalization – “Do what I say or Ill put you in a home.”
  • Not allowing the senior to socialize

Neglect

  • Withholding care or denying access to necessary services
  • Improper use of medication – over/under medicating
  • Not providing food or liquids, proper clothing or hygiene
  • Failure to assist with activities of daily living
  • Abandonment
  • Denial of an older adult’s basic rights

Neglect

  • Withholding care or denying access to necessary services
  • Improper use of medication – over/under medicating
  • Not providing food or liquids, proper clothing or hygiene
  • Failure to assist with activities of daily living
  • Abandonment
  • Denial of an older adult’s basic rights

Understanding Abuse

Risk Factors

 

  • Family history of abuse
  • Physical frailty
  • Financial problems
  • Cognitive status
  • Isolation
  • Caregiver stress
  • Dependency
  • Alcohol or Drug dependency
  • Mental health

What do Victims of Abuse Need?

  • The abuser to stop the violence, exploitation, or neglect
  • Help with restoring the family situation if possible
  • Safety, shelter, access to financial resources
  • Home Support Services, so that they are not dependent on the abuser
  • Counselling, emotional support, links to the community

Preventing Abuse

If you are an older adult . . .

  • Misuse of Power of Attorney
  • Stealing, theft, forgery
  • Misusing money, cheques or property
  • Unexplained disappearance of personal belongings such as clothing or jewellery

If you know an older adult . . .

  • Pushing, kicking, shoving, shaking
  • Hitting, slapping, poking
  • Pulling hair, biting, pinching
  • Sexual Assault

Emotional Abuse

  • Words that are hurtful make the senior feel unworthy
  • Treating an older adult like a child
  • Shunning, ignoring, or lack or acknowledgement
  • Threats of institutionalization – “Do what I say or Ill put you in a home.”
  • Not allowing the senior to socialize

If you are an older adult . . .

  • Misuse of Power of Attorney
  • Stealing, theft, forgery
  • Misusing money, cheques or property
  • Unexplained disappearance of personal belongings such as clothing or jewellery

If you know an older adult . . .

  • Pushing, kicking, shoving, shaking
  • Hitting, slapping, poking
  • Pulling hair, biting, pinching
  • Sexual Assault

Emotional Abuse

  • Words that are hurtful make the senior feel unworthy
  • Treating an older adult like a child
  • Shunning, ignoring, or lack or acknowledgement
  • Threats of institutionalization – “Do what I say or Ill put you in a home.”
  • Not allowing the senior to socialize

Resources and Information

Senior Safety Line

Emergency Services

Call: 911

Hamilton Police Services: Senior Support Officers (SSO)

Central SSO: 905-540-5351

East-End SSO: 905-546-2945

Mountain SSO: 905-546-891

Hamilton Police SSO website

Senior Safety Line

Emergency Services

Call: 911

Hamilton Police Services: Senior Support Officers (SSO)

Central SSO: 905-540-5351

East-End SSO: 905-546-2945

Mountain SSO: 905-546-891

Hamilton Police SSO website

Seniors Crime Stoppers

 

Seniors Crime Stoppers

 

Catholic Family Services of Hamilton

Crisis Outreach and Support Team

 

Catholic Family Services of Hamilton

Crisis Outreach and Support Team