Disabled Elder Abuse

My grandfather in his 50's, before he became disabled. 

When my grandfather was elderly, his arthritis became really bad for him.  He was unable to feed himself, unable to roll his own wheelchair without help.  His pain was quite intense.  He was reduced to the somewhat typical disabled and elderly man; living in the hospital, wearing a diaper, and having no control over his life.  This was particularly frustrating to him, because his mind was as vibrant as it ever was.  He lived quite far from me – in Lac la Biche Alberta.  I was only ever able to make it out to see him living at that hospital a couple of times before he passed. 

One time, while I was there, I witnessed something that made me very uncomfortable.  While Grandpa was visiting with my sister and I, a nurse decided that it was time for him to eat some rice pudding.  He said he didn’t want any.  She insisted that he eat some, and began shoving it into his mouth.  He looked really embarrassed that this was happening in front of his two granddaughters, and we were shocked by it.  So shocked that we didn’t say or do anything.  We were also scared to do anything, because we didn’t want to make it worse for him after we came back to Manitoba.  My sister and I were both very upset and looked into making a way for our grandfather to come out here and live with one of us.  Unfortunately, each of us were, at that time, living with husbands who wouldn’t hear of making a financial sacrifice for the sake of one of OUR relatives.  So we were stuck.  Neither one of us had the power to change the situation.  We felt that we were deprived not only of giving some quality back into his life, but also deprived of what he would have added to our lives by being a part of it. 

So, what is elder abuse?  “elder abuse is abuse committed against a person in the advanced years of their life and can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse, financial abuse, medical deprivation or over-medication, neglect, or the basic violation of human rights. This abuse can be in the form of family violence, institutional violence, or violence by a stranger” (Victims of Violence).  My grandfather never revealed whether or not he was a victim of elder abuse, but I think the potential was there.  People who are disabled, elderly, or both (as older adults often are) are especially vulnerable to those who would implement these forms of abuse upon them. 

According to the Canadian Department of Justice, older adults rarely report abuse that is happening to them.  Often, the people who are caring for the older adult have a great deal of power over them, and/or the caregiver is a family member or a spouse, which can complicate things as well.  Family Violence Law tends to be more reactionary rather than preventative.  This same law does not provide the victim with support, protection, or other services to assist them.  What can further complicate this, is when an older adult has a diminishing mental capacity (Department of Justice).  Sometimes, the victim simply cannot respond, or report the abuse because of a medical condition, such as having suffered a stroke which has left the person’s ability to speak or gesture nearly non-existent, as in the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YEuivTYI64

It is our responsibility as the younger generation to ensure that these things are not occurring to our loved ones.  The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse offers many supports, not just for older adults, but also support and training for caregivers.  If you have a loved one who requires care, you may want to consider their list of proactive things you can do:

-          Educate yourself about the abuse of older adults and the rights of older adults

-          Become involved in your local abuse of older adults Committee or Network and encourage the development of educational sessions for older adults on their rights

-          Learn about the rights of seniors and explain these rights to older adults that you know

-          Listen to older adults - take time when speaking to them about their current situation and offer suggestions regarding how they might keep themselves, and their assets, safe

-          Take an older friend out to lunch, visit them, call them to see how they are doing - in short, keep in touch older adult family members and friends (Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse). 

I would add to this list that if you feel suspicious at all that your loved one is in danger, get a nanny cam.  You may not be able to completely prevent abuse, but you can get the evidence you need to stop it, and to hold the abuser accountable. 

Bambi

Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.  Department of Justice. (2010).  Retrieved from http://www.cnpea.ca/canadian_laws_on_abuse_and_negle.htm

Research: Elder Abuse.  Victims of Violence.  (2011).  Retrieved from http://www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/rev2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=343&Itemid=33

 Preventing Elder Abuse & Neglect. Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.  (2008). Retrieved from http://www.onpea.org/english/elderabuse/preventingelderabuse.html