Title

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Institutional Settings: A Recent Overview of Adult Protection Legislation and Related Initiatives in Canada

Authors

Kamaal Zaidi

Abstract

With an aging population growing substantially, society places great demands upon the health care system to meet the needs of elder persons. As part of this process, however, senior citizens often encounter abuse and neglect both in domestic and institutional settings. This Note provides a broad overview of adult protection legislation and related initiatives in Canada, with an emphasis on institutional care facilities. The Note updates many of the recent developments in elder abuse and neglect across Canada, and provides a comparative analysis of legislation and recent initiatives between jurisdictions. Key issues related to elder abuse and neglect include mandatory reporting, the spectrum of rights afforded to elderly residents, methods of investigating complaints against institutional care facilities, intervention strategies and the use of traditional legal services such as guardianships and trusteeships. Along with these issues is the description of various types of abuses and neglect. The author makes the argument that modern adult protection regimes in Canada are placing an increasing emphasis on integrated and multidisciplinary networks. Part of this elaborate network involves the collaboration of government, health care providers, community-based groups, and operators of institutional care facilities.

Disciplines

Elder Law

Date of this Version

January 2006