Older Adult Healthcare Study

11/19/2021

Barriers to Help Seeking among Victims of Elder Abuse: A Scoping Review and Implications for Public Health Policy in Canada

In an article written by Jessica K. Gill (2021), common barriers to seeking help among victims of elder abuse were examined. The issue of elder abuse has become increasingly pressing, as the population in Canada is aging quite quickly, with citizens aged 65+ will comprise about 25% of the Canadian population by the year 2050 (Gill, 2021). In fact, the current prevalence rates of elder abuse sit at about 8.2% for those living in care facilities, however, only about 4-15% of elder abuse victims actually report the abuse. As such, elder abuse is considered a serious public health problem that needs immediate intervention, not only due to the growing affected population, but because of the associated health consequences (Gill, 2021).

One of the main concerns regarding elder abuse, is the lack of reporting, and in this article, there were 3 main reporting barriers that exist for older adults: Individual-focused barriers, abuser and family-focused barriers, and structural, community, and cultural barriers. Individual-focused barriers include the level of dependency on the abuser for care, as well as, financial dependency on abusive children or spouse. Fear and shame are also factors that fall into the individual-focused barriers category, specifically the fear of negative consequences as a result of disclosing the abuse, as well as, the potential embarrassment and stigma associated with being a victim of abuse.

Abuser and family-focused barriers refer to hesitancy to report due to the potential impact with the victim’s immediate social circle. One of the main barriers that fall into this category is the desire to protect one’s family or their abuser from negative consequences, specifically social service or legal system involvement, which could threaten core-family relationships.

The third type of barrier that exists is structural, community and cultural barriers, which are commonly related to religious and cultural beliefs, as well as the fear of losing one’s sense of community. Self-image, and one’s perspective on their family and community can greatly impact the likelihood of reporting abuse, as many older individuals, commonly seen in more collectivist cultures such as those in China and the Asian subcontinent, prioritize familial harmony and group goals over their own self-interest.

Gill, J. (2021). Barriers to Help Seeking among Victims of Elder Abuse: A Scoping Review and Implications for Public Health Policy in Canada. Canadian Journal on Aging / La R***e Canadienne Du Vieillissement, 1-16. doi:10.1017/S0714980821000295

11/12/2021

The current situation of many long-term care homes in Ontario is dire, many point to the fact that many homes are for-profit. When asked, it was found that about 3/5 Canadians believe that for-profit long-term care homes should be phased out, so that care for the older adults in these facilities becomes priority. In fact, it has been found that for-profit long-term care homes in Ontario provide sub-standard care, and poor working conditions, which leads to higher death rates than non-profit long-term care homes. To combat these issues, many suggest that funding should be reserved for non-profit homes, and go through federal legislation first. Other suggestions include the total cessation of granting or renewing licenses to for-profit care homes in Ontario.

To learn more about this developing situation, please visit the link below.

The federal government should restrict new funding to non-profit homes, and require provinces to develop plans to phase out profit-driven care.

11/04/2021

OLDER ADULT HEALTHCARE STUDY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

COMPENSATION WILL BE PROVIDED

If you are a healthcare professional with experience working with older adults, please consider participating in an online research study conducted by Dr. Joshua Wyman of Ontario Tech University.

Eligible participants must be over the age of 18, have experience working with older adults in a healthcare, social service or residential setting, and be work in Ontario, Canada.

Participation in the study involves a video interview with Dr. Wyman on the telemedicine platform Doxy.me, and the completion of a few questionnaires.

If you are meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Joshua Wyman at Joshua.wyman@ontariotechu.ca for more information.

10/29/2021

Older adult maltreatment goes widely unreported due to the social stigma, fear of retaliation from abusive staff, or potential concern for the consequences a loved one may face. Reporting can also potentially lead to the loss of care or breakdown of close relationships, which are also factors that lead to underreporting.

Older adult maltreatment can occur in many forms, whether that be psychological, physical, or the most common, happening in 62.5% of older adult maltreatment cases, financial abuse, which includes the mishandling of an elder’s assets, or money.

To learn more about the causes, effects, and existing programs to help combat older adult maltreatment, click on the link below to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s page on elder abuse and neglect.

Page controlsPrinter-friendly version+ show tags Book Prev / Next Navigation Previous Next Page content “Elder abuse and neglect should be identified as abuses of human rights.” (Canada’s Association for the Fifty-Plus (CARP)) Many individuals and organizations provided comment on the issue of...

10/26/2021

Dr. Joshua Wyman, a researcher at Ontario Tech University, is currently searching for healthcare and social service professionals who have experience working directly with older adults in Ontario, Canada, to participate in an online research study.

Compensation of a $20 Amazon gift card is included.

Participants must be:
- Over the age of 18
- Have relevant experience working with older adults in a healthcare, social service or residential setting
- Must be located in Ontario, Canada

Participation in the study requires a video interview with Dr. Joshua Wyman on your experience with reporting older adult maltreatment, as well as, the completion of three questionnaires.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Joshua Wyman at joshua.wyman@ontariotechu.ca for more information.

09/26/2021

Volunteers Needed for a Research Study on the Reporting of Older Adult Maltreatment

We are looking for professionals who work directly with older adults in health, social service or residential settings to participate in an online research study that is designed to improve the reporting of maltreatment.


Eligibility Criteria:
You are above the age of 18.
You work directly with older adults in health, social service or residential settings.
Participation Involves:
A video interview with Dr. Joshua Wyman on your experiences reporting older adult maltreatment.
Completing questionnaires.

Location:
This study will be completed online over the Doxy.me telemedicine platform at a time of your convenience.
Compensation:
A $20 Amazon e-gift card.

Please contact Dr. Joshua Wyman of Ontario Tech University at joshua.wyman@ontariotechu.ca if you are interested in participating in this study.