NCJ Number
159719
Date Published
1994
Length
101 pages
Annotation
This discussion paper provides an overview of concepts and issues concerning the abuse and neglect of elderly persons in institutional settings in Canada.
Abstract
The first chapter describes abuse and neglect of the elderly in institutions, outlining terminology and describing guiding principles for positive relationships within institutions. Chapter 2 describes a caring environment in which staff and management both care for and care about residents, and Chapter 3 explores the current knowledge base on abuse and neglect in institutional settings, with attention to prevalence and causes. The fourth chapter describes characteristics of institutional life that may lead to abuse and neglect, such as the standardization of services, the power structure, and the separation of institutions from communities. Chapter 5 profiles procedures for identifying, reporting, investigating, and documenting abuse or neglect in institutions, followed by a chapter that discusses the timing and manner of interventions, while recognizing intervention problems specific to institutions. The concluding chapter emphasizes the importance of prevention and focuses on two primary types of strategies to prevent abuse and neglect. Preventive strategies for residents include advocacy strategies, resident councils, and family councils. Primary preventive measures for staff include improving training and establishing and fostering resident or family councils. External strategies focus on increasing community involvement in institutions as a way of addressing the problem. One appendix provides a sample protocol. Other appendixes to be used as resources are the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Older People, an overview of laws related to abuse and neglect in institutional settings, and a list of advisory committee members responsible for shaping the series of documents on abuse and neglect of older adults in institutional settings. Chapter notes