Senior Abuse

Older members of our community are often more vulnerable to abuse, especially those who rely on others for some or all of their care. These are some of the common types of abuse facing older adults.

Physical Abuse

Any physical pain or injury which is willfully inflicted upon a senior by a person who has care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust with that senior, constitutes physical abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, direct beatings, sexual assault, unreasonable physical restraint, and prolonged deprivation of food or water.

Financial Abuse

Any theft or misuse of a senior's money or property, by a person in a position of trust with a senior, constitutes financial abuse.

Neglect

The failure of any person having the care or custody of an senior to provide that degree of care which a reasonable person in a like position would provide constitutes neglect. This includes, but is not limited to:

Failure to assist in personal hygiene or the provision of clothing for a senior

Failure to provide medical care for the physical and mental health needs of a senior. This does not include instances in which a senior refuses treatment.
Failure to protect a senior from health and safety hazards.

Self-Neglect

Failure to provide for self through inattention or dissipation. The identification of this type of case depends on assessing the senior's ability to choose a life-style versus a recent change in the senior's ability to manage.

Psychological/Emotional Abuse

The willful infliction of mental suffering, by a person in a position of trust with a senior, constitutes psychological/emotional abuses. Examples of such abuse are: verbal assaults, threats, instilling fear, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation of a senior.

Abandonment

Abandonment constitutes the desertion or willful forsaking of a senior by any person having the care and custody of that senior. under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care of custody.

Is abuse of senior adults a crime in Canada?

Abuse of senior adults is not specifically identified as a crime. The abuse may be a combination of different behaviours by the caregiver. Some of these behaviours may also be crimes. If the abuser has broken the law he or she may be charged with a criminal offence.