Power Points for EMS Education

1. Barry Kidd 2010 1
ELDER ABUSE
RECOGNITION AND THE EMS
RESPONSE

2. Barry Kidd 2010 2
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
“Elder abuse is the infliction of harm on an
older person”. Abuse is any act or failure to
act that endangers the health and/or well
being of the older person. Such action or
inaction is especially harmful when it occurs
within a relationship where there is an
expectation of trust.

3. Barry Kidd 2010 3
ELDER ABUSE
Elder abuse is the
maltreatment of
an older or elderly
individual

4. Barry Kidd 2010 4
Elder abuse can have many forms

5. Barry Kidd 2010 5
Abuse may be :

6. Barry Kidd 2010 6
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes any act of
violence – whether or not it results in
physical injury. Intentionally inflicting
pain or injury that results in either
bodily harm or mental distress is
abuse.

7. Barry Kidd 2010 7
ELDER ABUSE
Physical abuse may include, for example:
 Beating
 Burning or scalding
 Pushing or shoving
 Hitting or slapping

8. Barry Kidd 2010 8
ELDER ABUSE
 Rough handling
 Tripping
 Spitting.

9. Barry Kidd 2010 9
ELDER ABUSE
 Physical abuse against older adults
may also include:
 Tying them to furniture
 Using or misusing physical restraints
 Excessively restraining them through
the use of alcohol, tranquillizers or other
medication

10. Barry Kidd 2010 10
ELDER ABUSE
 Forcing them to remain in beds or
chairs
 Forcing them to remain in rooms
(including locking them in).

11. Barry Kidd 2010 11
Sexual
Any form of sexual activity with a
person without the consent of that
person.

12. Barry Kidd 2010 12
ELDER ABUSE
Spiritual abuse or neglect may include:
 Using their religious or spiritual beliefs
to exploit, manipulate, dominate or
control them
 Ridiculing their beliefs

13. Barry Kidd 2010 13
ELDER ABUSE
 Preventing them from engaging in
spiritual or religious practices
 Acting in a disrespectful way toward
their spirituality.

14. Barry Kidd 2010 14
Emotional / Psychological
Includes attempts to dehumanize or
intimidate older adults. Any verbal or
non-verbal act that reduces their sense
of self-worth or dignity and threatens
their psychological and emotional
integrity is abuse. This type of abuse
may include, for example:

15. Barry Kidd 2010 15
ELDER ABUSE
Threatening to use violence
Threatening to abandon them
Intentionally frightening them
Making them fear that they will not
receive the food or care they need

16. Barry Kidd 2010 16
ELDER ABUSE
 Lying to them
 Failing to check allegations of abuse
against them
 Insulting, swearing, or name calling
Making derogative or slanderous
statements about them to others

17. Barry Kidd 2010 17
ELDER ABUSE
 Intentionally misinterpreting their
traditional practices
 Repeatedly raising the issue of death
with them
 Telling them that they are too much
trouble

18. Barry Kidd 2010 18
ELDER ABUSE
 Ignoring or excessively criticizing them
 Being over-familiar and disrespectful
 Unreasonably ordering them around
 Treating them like servants
 Treating them like children

19. Barry Kidd 2010 19
ELDER ABUSE
 Socially isolating them, or failing to let them
have visitors
 Withholding important information that they
have a right to know
 Demeaning them because of the language
they speak

20. Barry Kidd 2010 20
Financial
The unethical or illegal misuse of
the money, property, or other
assets of an older adult, including
placing inappropriate pressure on
an older person in order to gain
access to her or his assets.

21. Barry Kidd 2010 21
Violation of Human / Civil Rights
The unlawful or unreasonable
denial of fundamental rights and
freedoms normally enjoyed by
adults.

22. Barry Kidd 2010 22
ELDER ABUSE
Neglect
The failure to provide the necessities of life
such as proper food, fluids, suitable clothing,
a safe and sanitary place of shelter, proper
medical attention, personal care, and
necessary supervision. There are several
forms of neglect, including active neglect,
passive neglect, self-neglect, and
abandonment

23. Barry Kidd 2010 23
ELDER ABUSE
Much abuse occurs within
relationships where there is an
expectation of trust. Some of
these relationships include:

24. Barry Kidd 2010 24
ELDER ABUSE
in a family,
between a husband and a wife,
between friends,

25. Barry Kidd 2010 25
ELDER ABUSE
between an older adult and
someone they rely on such as an
accountant, care worker, or other
paid person,
when someone is providing
services in an older adult’s home.

26. Barry Kidd 2010 26
ELDER ABUSE
Not all abuse is a result of
individual action and not all abuse
occurs within a personal
relationship. Sometimes older
adults are targeted because the
abusers think they will be easier
targets.

27. Barry Kidd 2010 27
ELDER ABUSE
Sometimes abuse is a result of how
older people are treated at a
societal level. Systemic abuse, for
example, can happen when policies
or practices take away a person’s
independence and dignity.

28. Barry Kidd 2010 28
ELDER ABUSE
 This sometimes happens when other
people are making decisions for the
older person and may be rooted in
ageism

29. Barry Kidd 2010 29
ELDER ABUSE
What causes
elder abuse?

30. Barry Kidd 2010 30
ELDER ABUSE
The causes of elder abuse are
extremely complex. Abuse generally
does not occur because of only one
factor but is a combination of
circumstances that can be intensified
and complicated by particular life
events.

31. Barry Kidd 2010 31
ELDER ABUSE
Poor or negative attitudes about
aging and the resulting behaviors
are a form of discrimination
called ageism, which is
frequently the root of
disrespectful and abusive
behaviors toward older persons.

32. Barry Kidd 2010 32
ELDER ABUSE
An inaccurate understanding of
the needs and capabilities of
older persons, insensitivity to the
wishes of the older person, and
additional stressors in one’s life
can also lead to a variety of
abusive behaviors.

33. Barry Kidd 2010 33
ELDER ABUSE
Oftentimes, people who exercise
power over others by pressuring,
threatening or taking advantage of
vulnerable older persons don’t know
that their behaviour or attitudes are
wrong or considered abusive.

34. Barry Kidd 2010 34
ELDER ABUSE
Elder abuse is sometimes a
continuance of existing abuse
and violence which can be
present in families and other
relationships.

35. Barry Kidd 2010 35
ELDER ABUSE
This abuse can be intensified by a
variety of risk factors such as a
change in lifestyle (like retirement);
employment or financial difficulties;
disputes over property/money;
physical illness; mental/psychiatric
illness; addictions;

36. Barry Kidd 2010 36
ELDER ABUSE
lack of additional supports;
isolation; changing relationships
with family and/or friends; and
declining lack of independence
due to increasing physical frailty.

37. Barry Kidd 2010 37
ELDER ABUSE
Beliefs about the role and
expectations of women and men,
disability, race or homophobia are
also causes of violations of older
persons

38. Barry Kidd 2010 38
ELDER ABUSE
While opinions vary on whether
care giving by a partner, relative
or friend causes abuse, there is
little evidence to support this
notion.

39. Barry Kidd 2010 39
ELDER ABUSE
Lack of awareness and education about
the role and expectations of care giving
as well as an inability to access or the
lack of community services and
supports is a significant issue for many
persons giving and receiving care.

40. Barry Kidd 2010 40
ELDER ABUSE
The additional stresses of providing care
coupled with any of the above factors
may make already unhealthy
relationships more strained and difficult.
This creates a greater risk of abuse.
Dependency can contribute to
increased feelings of guilt, resentment
or obligation by the person receiving
care.

41. Barry Kidd 2010 41
ELDER ABUSE
There are also circumstances
where the care giver is
dependent on the person
requiring care which can affect
the relationship and lead to
abuse of the caregiver by the
care recipient

42. Barry Kidd 2010 42
ELDER ABUSE
What are the different types and
signs of elder abuse?

43. Barry Kidd 2010 43
ELDER ABUSE
While some of these signs and symptoms
may be a result of other issues, they may
alert you to the possibility of abuse. Consider
these signs if you suspect someone is being
abused. Also keep in mind that many older
adults will experience more than one type of
abuse at the same time.

44. Barry Kidd 2010 44
Physical
Abuse

45. Barry Kidd 2010 45
ELDER ABUSE
Physical abuse is defined as the
use of physical force that may
result in bodily injury, physical
pain, or impairment.

46. Barry Kidd 2010 46
ELDER ABUSE
Physical abuse may include such
acts of violence as striking (with or
without an object), hitting, beating,
pushing, shoving, shaking,
slapping, kicking, pinching, and
burning.

47. Barry Kidd 2010 47
ELDER ABUSE
Inappropriate use of drugs and
physical restraints, force-feeding,
and physical punishment of any
kind are also examples of physical
abuse.

48. Barry Kidd 2010 48
ELDER ABUSE
Signs and symptoms of physical
abuse may include but are not
limited to:

49. Barry Kidd 2010 49
ELDER ABUSE
 bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations,
and rope marks;
 bone fractures, broken bones, and skull
fractures;
 open wounds, cuts, punctures,
untreated injuries in various stages of
healing;

50. Barry Kidd 2010 50
ELDER ABUSE
 sprains, dislocations, and internal
injuries/bleeding;
 broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of
being subjected to punishment, and signs of
being restrained;
 laboratory findings of medication overdose or
under-utilization of prescribed drugs

51. Barry Kidd 2010 51
ELDER ABUSE
 an older person’s sudden change in
behaviour;
 "doctor-hopping" where an older person
frequently changes doctors or other
care providers in order to avoid
detection of abuse; and
 an older person’s report of being
physically abused.

52. Barry Kidd 2010 52
ELDER ABUSE
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is defined as non-
consensual sexual contact of any kind
with a person. Sexual contact with any
person incapable of giving consent is
also considered sexual abuse.

53. Barry Kidd 2010 53
ELDER ABUSE
It may include unwanted touching, all
types of sexual assault or battery
(such as rape, sodomy, coerced
nudity), sexually explicit
photographing, the forcing or
coercing of degrading, humiliating, or
painful sexual acts.

54. Barry Kidd 2010 54
ELDER ABUSE
Signs and symptoms of sexual
abuse may include but are not
limited to:

55. Barry Kidd 2010 55
ELDER ABUSE
bruises around the breasts or
genital area;
unexplained venereal disease or
genital infections;
unexplained vaginal or anal
bleeding;

56. Barry Kidd 2010 56
ELDER ABUSE
torn, stained, or bloody
underclothing; and
an older person’s report of being
sexually assaulted or raped.

57. Barry Kidd 2010 57
ELDER ABUSE
Emotional or Psychological
Abuse

58. Barry Kidd 2010 58
ELDER ABUSE
Emotional or psychological abuse is defined
as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress
through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Emotional/psychological abuse may include
verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation,
humiliation, and harassment.

59. Barry Kidd 2010 59
ELDER ABUSE
Treating an older person like an infant or child;
isolating an older person from her/his family,
friends, or regular activities; actively
withholding access to grandchildren; giving
an older person the "silent treatment;" and
enforced social isolation are also examples of
emotional/psychological abuse.

60. Barry Kidd 2010 60
ELDER ABUSE
Signs and symptoms of
emotional/psychological abuse may
include but are not limited to:

61. Barry Kidd 2010 61
ELDER ABUSE
being emotionally upset or agitated;
being extremely withdrawn and
non-communicative or non-
responsive;

62. Barry Kidd 2010 62
ELDER ABUSE
unusual behaviour usually
attributed to dementia (e.g.,
sucking, biting, rocking); and
an older person’s report of being
verbally or emotionally mistreated

63. Barry Kidd 2010 63
ELDER ABUSE
Financial Abuse

64. Barry Kidd 2010 64
ELDER ABUSE
Financial abuse (sometimes
referred to as financial or material
exploitation) is defined as the illegal
or improper use of an older
person’s funds, property, or assets.

65. Barry Kidd 2010 65
ELDER ABUSE
Examples include cashing an older
adult's cheque(s) without
authorization or permission; forging
an older person's signature;
misusing or stealing an older
person's money or possessions.

66. Barry Kidd 2010 66
ELDER ABUSE
Coercing or deceiving an older
person into signing any document
(e.g., contracts or will); and the
improper use of conservatorship,
guardianship, or power of attorney.

67. Barry Kidd 2010 67
ELDER ABUSE
Signs and symptoms of financial or
material exploitation may include but
are not limited to:

68. Barry Kidd 2010 68
ELDER ABUSE
 sudden changes in bank account or
banking practice, including an
unexplained withdrawal of large sums of
money by a person accompanying the
older adult;
 the inclusion of additional names on an
older person’s bank signature card;

69. Barry Kidd 2010 69
ELDER ABUSE
 abrupt changes in a will or other financial
documents;
 unexplained purchases or abuse of funds by
persons appointed as Power of Attorney;
 unexplained disappearance of funds or
valuable possessions;

70. Barry Kidd 2010 70
ELDER ABUSE
 substandard care being provided or bills
unpaid despite the availability of
adequate financial resources;
 discovery of an older person’s signature
being forged for financial transactions
or for the titles of her/his possessions;

71. Barry Kidd 2010 71
ELDER ABUSE
 sudden appearance of previously
uninvolved relatives claiming their rights
to an older person’s affairs and
possessions;
 unexplained sudden transfer of assets
to a family member or someone outside
the family;

72. Barry Kidd 2010 72
ELDER ABUSE
 the provision of services that are not
necessary; and
 an older person’s report of financial
exploitation.
 unauthorized withdrawal of the older
person’s funds using her or his ATM
card;

73. Barry Kidd 2010 73
ELDER ABUSE
Neglect

74. Barry Kidd 2010 74
ELDER ABUSE
Neglect is the refusal or failure to
provide an older person with such
life necessities as food, water,
clothing, shelter, personal hygiene,
medicine, comfort, personal safety,
and other essentials included in an
implied or agreed-upon
responsibility to an older person.

75. Barry Kidd 2010 75
ELDER ABUSE
Neglect may also include failure of
a person who has fiduciary/
management responsibilities to
provide care for an older person
(e.g., pay for necessary home care
services) or the failure on the part
of an in-home service provider to
provide necessary care.

76. Barry Kidd 2010 76
ELDER ABUSE
The intentional withholding of the
necessities of life is referred to as
active neglect; and the
unintentional failure to provide
proper care is referred to as
passive neglect.

77. Barry Kidd 2010 77
ELDER ABUSE
Passive neglect is often a result of
lack of knowledge, experience, or
ability to provide care

78. Barry Kidd 2010 78
ELDER ABUSE
Signs and symptoms of neglect (whether
active or passive) may include but are not
limited to:

79. Barry Kidd 2010 79
ELDER ABUSE
dehydration, malnutrition, untreated
bed sores, and poor personal
hygiene;
unattended or untreated health
problems;

80. Barry Kidd 2010 80
ELDER ABUSE
 hazardous or unsafe living
condition/arrangements (e.g., improper
wiring, no heat, or no running water);
 unsanitary and unclean living conditions
(e.g. dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled
bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate
clothing); and

81. Barry Kidd 2010 81
ELDER ABUSE
 an older person’s report of being
neglected.

82. Barry Kidd 2010 82
ELDER ABUSE
Self-neglect involves the behaviour of
an older person that threatens her/his
own health or safety. Self-neglect
generally is observed in an older person
as a refusal or failure to provide
herself/himself with adequate food,
water, clothing, shelter, personal
hygiene, medication, and safety
precautions.

83. Barry Kidd 2010 83
ELDER ABUSE
The definition of self-neglect does not
include a situation in which a mentally
competent older person, who
understands the consequences of
her/his decisions, makes a conscious
and voluntary decision to engage in
acts that threaten her/his health or
safety as a matter of personal choice.

84. Barry Kidd 2010 84
ELDER ABUSE
Abandonment
Abandonment is the desertion of an
elderly person by an individual who
has assumed responsibility for
providing care for that person, or by
someone with physical custody of
an older adult.

85. Barry Kidd 2010 85
ELDER ABUSE
This is a form of neglect and can
include deserting an older adult at a
hospital, a nursing facility (or other
similar institution), deserting an
older adult at a shopping centre or
other public location.

86. Barry Kidd 2010 86
ELDER ABUSE
What role does culture
play?

87. Barry Kidd 2010 87
ELDER ABUSE
Behaviours considered to be
abusive in any given society can
vary. Certain behaviours may not
be considered inappropriate or a
violation of rights.

88. Barry Kidd 2010 88
ELDER ABUSE
For example, if there are specific
cultural expectations of children
regarding the ownership of property
or money belonging to the parent,
this may be thought to be
acceptable and proper.

89. Barry Kidd 2010 89
ELDER ABUSE
In some societies, abuse is not
discussed or considered a concern.
Most cultures regard disrespect
and poor treatment of older
persons to be unacceptable but
there can be many complicating
factors

90. Barry Kidd 2010 90
ELDER ABUSE
It is important when dealing with
any individual from another culture
to learn about their beliefs,
practices and understandings about
aging and abuse.

91. Barry Kidd 2010 91
ELDER ABUSE
Consider these questions:

92. Barry Kidd 2010 92
ELDER ABUSE
What language do people
understand? Do they nod in
agreement or do they in fact realize
what is being said?
What are commonly accepted
gender roles (men and women) of a
particular culture?

93. Barry Kidd 2010 93
ELDER ABUSE
Does any cultural practice violate
rights or prevent individuals from
living as they wish?
 Is there a clear understanding of
the Canadian concept of human
rights?

94. Barry Kidd 2010 94
ELDER ABUSE
Are there differences in how
families and generations relate to
one another in a particular culture?
What are attitudes regarding
behaviours of various generations
toward one another
?

95. Barry Kidd 2010 95
ELDER ABUSE
Who makes decisions in the
family?
What role do older persons play in
the family or in their community?
Are there religious beliefs that
influence how family members
regard or treat one another?

96. Barry Kidd 2010 96
ELDER ABUSE
How does this cultural group
respond to having resources or
support provided from those in the
dominant culture/ society?
Do they look to their own cultural
group to address concerns or seek
support?

97. Barry Kidd 2010 97
ELDER ABUSE
 Does the older person have
associations with other seniors in
the community to discuss or
compare experiences?

98. Barry Kidd 2010 98
ELDER ABUSE
How many older people are
abused?

99. Barry Kidd 2010 99
ELDER ABUSE
It is difficult to say how many older
persons are abused, neglected, or
exploited, in large part because of a
lack of awareness and understanding of
elder abuse. Situations of abuse are
frequently not reported and the problem
remains greatly hidden.

100. Barry Kidd 2010 100
ELDER ABUSE
The best information available indicates
that between 4% and 7% of older adults
experience abuse.

101. Barry Kidd 2010 101
ELDER ABUSE
This means that in the Yukon
approximately 150 to 260 older people
experience harm and poor health or
well-being because of abuse.

102. Barry Kidd 2010 102
ELDER ABUSE
Because abuse is severely
underreported, it is believed that this
number is far greater

103. Barry Kidd 2010 103
ELDER ABUSE
Because women live longer than men
and there are more older women than
there are older men, elder abuse is and
will continue to be a significant women’s
issue.

104. Barry Kidd 2010 104
ELDER ABUSE
More older women are abused than
men, however, even when adjusted for
their greater numbers

105. Barry Kidd 2010 105
ELDER ABUSE
Why isn’t it reported?

106. Barry Kidd 2010 106
ELDER ABUSE
There are a number of reasons why
abuse against older adults may not be
reported. Embarrassment, shame, and
fear are big obstacles to overcome for
many people to reach out for support or
assistance.

107. Barry Kidd 2010 107
ELDER ABUSE
Because violence or deception is
increasingly regarded by our society to
be disturbing and wrong, many abused
persons do not reveal their experience
due to fear of the consequences to the
person who has victimized them.

108. Barry Kidd 2010 108
Older adults may not report abuse
because they:

109. Barry Kidd 2010 109
ELDER ABUSE
 fear more abuse
 want to protect family honour and/or
consider family break-up to be
unacceptable
 fear losing their independence

110. Barry Kidd 2010 110
ELDER ABUSE
 fear institutionalization (being placed in
a facility against their will)
 fear losing financial, physical, and/or
emotional support provided by the
abuser
 lack self-esteem and assertiveness;
believe “I deserve what I get” and
accept abuse as “normal”

111. Barry Kidd 2010 111
ELDER ABUSE
 fear being denied access to
grandchildren
 feel hopeless about finding solutions

112. Barry Kidd 2010 112
ELDER ABUSE
 love the abuser and do not want to see
her/him criticized, particularly if it is their
own child who is abusing them
 may experience language difficulties

113. Barry Kidd 2010 113
ELDER ABUSE
 don’t know or understand their rights,
including how to act on them
 don’t know what services are available
to them
 may be depressed due to loneliness or
lack of proper nutrition.

114. Barry Kidd 2010 114
ELDER ABUSE
We sometimes don’t see it
because:

115. Barry Kidd 2010 115
ELDER ABUSE
 attitudes, behaviours, and
institutionalized practices in our society
promote ageism and devalue older
persons
 it is simply not reported and may be well
hidden

116. Barry Kidd 2010 116
ELDER ABUSE
 there is a lack of awareness about
abuse against older adults
 society believes in sanctity of the family
and the family’s right to privacy

117. Barry Kidd 2010 117
ELDER ABUSE
 use of force in certain circumstances is
seen as okay
 there are lack of options for dealing with
an abused older person
 we just don’t know what to do.

118. Barry Kidd 2010 118
ELDER ABUSE
What makes an older adult
vulnerable to abuse?

119. Barry Kidd 2010 119
ELDER ABUSE
Some seniors are more at risk than
others. Those who are older, socially
isolated, have reduced cognitive
capacity, have disabilities and are
dependent, and those cared for by
people with an addiction (such as
alcohol, drugs or gambling) are at
higher risk.

120. Barry Kidd 2010 120
ELDER ABUSE
Social isolation and mental impairment
(such as dementia or Alzheimer's
Disease) are two factors that may make
an older person more vulnerable to
abuse. But, in some situations, studies
show that living with someone else (a
caregiver or a friend) may increase the
chances for abuse to occur.

121. Barry Kidd 2010 121
ELDER ABUSE
A history of domestic violence may also
make a senior more susceptible to
abuse. Families that have a history of
poor relationships or mental health
problems may also be at higher risk.

122. Barry Kidd 2010 122
ELDER ABUSE
Elder abuse affects people of all
education levels, sexual orientation,
ability, and social, economic and ethnic
backgrounds and cultures. It affects
both men and women.

123. Barry Kidd 2010 123
ELDER ABUSE
Who abuses older people?

124. Barry Kidd 2010 124
ELDER ABUSE
Most abuse is committed by someone
the senior knows, such as a family
member, friend, caregiver, landlord,
(paid) care provider, or a person who
provides a service (e.g. financial advisor
or home maintenance person).

125. Barry Kidd 2010 125
ELDER ABUSE
Abusers of older adults are both women
and men. Family members are more
often the abusers than any other group.
For several years, data showed that
adult children were the most common
abusers of family members.

126. Barry Kidd 2010 126
ELDER ABUSE
Recent information, however, indicates
spouses are the most common
perpetrators when data concerning
older adults and vulnerable adults is
combined.

127. Barry Kidd 2010 127
Are there criminal penalties for the
abusers?

128. Barry Kidd 2010 128
ELDER ABUSE
Some abusive actions are defined as
crimes, but not all abuse is considered
criminal. The Criminal Code of Canada
describes the different offences that
someone can be charged with if they
are accused of abusive actions toward
older adults.

129. Barry Kidd 2010 129
ELDER ABUSE
The relevant provisions relate to
physical and sexual abuse, chronic
psychological abuse, neglect, loss of
rights (as under the Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms), property theft,
breach of trust and breach of power of
attorney, extortion, fraud and false
pretences, and intimidation.

130. Barry Kidd 2010 130
ELDER ABUSE
Because not all behaviour believed to
be abusive falls under the Criminal
Code, a range of resources and
supports are necessary to be able to
respond to cases of abuse.

131. Barry Kidd 2010 131
ELDER ABUSE
It is also important to note that while
there are commonly accepted
definitions of abuse, the way abuse is
defined in legislation may vary. This
becomes important when one looks to
available legal responses, and it
emphasizes the need for a range of
resources and supports.

132. Barry Kidd 2010 132
ELDER ABUSE
How can elder abuse be
prevented?

133. Barry Kidd 2010 133
ELDER ABUSE
As with all forms of violence, abuse
against older adults can be prevented.
We must:

134. Barry Kidd 2010 134
ELDER ABUSE
 Challenge ageist attitudes and beliefs
that devalue older adults.
 Treat older adults with the respect and
dignity they deserve.
 Work with older adults to empower
them to make healthy relationship
choices.

135. Barry Kidd 2010 135
ELDER ABUSE
 Offer alternatives to remaining in
abusive situations.
 Enhance informal support networks.
 Ensure seniors retain as much power
and control over their own lives as
possible.

136. Barry Kidd 2010 136
ELDER ABUSE
Provide information on services
and programs available to assist.
Encourage caregivers to access
support available to them.
Educate ourselves and others
about elder abuse.

137. Barry Kidd 2010 137
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We must also foster positive
relationships between generations and
provide support to those caring for
seniors.

138. Barry Kidd 2010 138
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Educating seniors, professionals,
caregivers, and the public about abuse
is critical to prevention. It is important
that the issue of abuse is understood,
discussed by both professionals and
the public and confronted in our
communities.

139. Barry Kidd 2010 139
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Responsibility of EMS

140. Barry Kidd 2010 140
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Documentation
Put what you have observed in your
PCR
Put what your patient told you in your
PCR
Put what caretakers, family or
neighbours told you in your PCR

141. Barry Kidd 2010 141
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Put results of your secondary
assessment in your PCR
Put your suspicions and your concerns
in your PCR
Document that you notified the
Emergency department

142. Barry Kidd 2010 142
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According to Seniors’ Services and
Adult Protection, a Department of
Health and Social Services, all
complaints received by that
department are investigated.

143. Barry Kidd 2010 143
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144. Barry Kidd 2010 144
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Questions and Answers