Elder abuse in residences

Barbara Dylla’s Story

Elder abuse in residences

Posted by: Barbara Dylla on Jul 31, 2011 Tagged in: Untagged

I will write a separate update soon, but in the meantime, I'm putting a link to a newspaper article that writes about a case of elder abuse that was first broadcast on a Montreal TV station (French language).

http://www.canada.com/entertainment/Fall+with+elder+abuse+alleged/5099679/story.html

This is an issue we all worry about. Just because it exists, though, doesn't mean we can't do anything about it. Like many other societal issues (rape, spousal abuse, bullying, etc.), if we don't talk about it openly, the problem will continue, and victims will continue to suffer.

My action was writing a letter to the editor of our local newspaper. It was published, but edited, either for length or for content (still not sure which).

Here it is in full:

" Seeing such abuse is exactly what so many people fear when the subject is raised about moving a family member to a long-term care facility. Why? Partly because they no longer have any control over their relative's care and can't see what's happening with him or her on a regular basis.

With two parents in care facilities, one private, one public, I can say that there are good employees and unsuitable employees in either system. It is the unsuitable employees who need to be weeded out. Friends and family who witness abusive behaviour need to document the events, and file a formal complaint to management. If management doesn't know a problem exists, it cannot fix it. Many family members and residents, however, fear retaliation, so they say nothing. This is the worst thing to do and allows the abusive behaviour to persist. But, even if a family member raises the issue and their relative is no longer abused, other residents may remain victims. Unfortunately, elder abuse is not discussed openly among residents' relatives, and no one wants to be the only one to rock the boat.

My strongest recommendation is for family members to research and inspect the long-term care facilities of their choice before their elderly relative moves in. We all spend time researching a new apartment, a new car, appliances, electronics -- why do any less for a place someone we love will be moving to? A good care facility is worth every penny paid. Once their relative has moved in, family members must play their part: they need to be aware of what is going on in the residence, find out who is looking after their relative, establish good communication and ensure the residence is the right place for their aging or ailing relative. They should make full of the ombudsman or a residents' counsellor, if available; this individual is meant to be an independent authority who represents the interests of the residents and investigates and addresses complaints.

Bottom line: any type of abuse -- be it physical, verbal or psychological -- should be reported."

I received a few reactions from friends, who happened to read the "Letters to the Editors" page. I also received a phone call from a radio station producer, who is considering doing a panel discussion on elder abuse; we had quite an interesting discussion. Not sure what will come of it, but obviously there is growing concern about situations such as portrayed in this particular case.