Wednesday, 20 August 2003
This presentation is part of : Unexplored Issues in Psychogeriatrics: Spiritual, Ethical, Environmental, and Legal Aspects of Patient Care

S060-006 The Challenge: Are We Prepared? Elder Abuse, Are There Cultural Differences ?

Margaret C Flower, OPUS 55, Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Programs, OPUS 55, Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Programs, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada

Objective: To discuss the prevalence of Elder Abuse, emotional, physical, financial, sexual and medical. To attempt to identify if older persons with depression or dementia are at greater risk than those physically frail. To consider the misuse and abuse of alcohol and drugs by the care provider as a mechanism for coping; conversly as a control factor applied to the older person. We will discuss abuse of the care provider by the older person, and consider the life relationship between care provider and those being cared for. Where is/was the power? what is the current balance? Will governments provide funding for education, care giver support in the present, or will proof through research identifying the problem before intervention is in place?

Materials and Methods: Information will be collected in Toronto from the justice system, family services and police. Similar information will be sought from several diverse populations, as will interventions.

Conclusion: What is known about the problems, the complexities of refugee families, immigrant families, or 2-3rd generation Canadians? What is the impact of learned behavior? Given our diversity, would providing education and support systems reduce the risk of abuse to older adults who depend on care providers?

Back to S060 Unexplored Issues in Psychogeriatrics: Spiritual, Ethical, Environmental, and Legal Aspects of Patient Care
Back to The Eleventh International Congress