Be sensitive to multicultural and aboriginal issues related to elder abuse. Elder abuse is any act that harms or threatens to harm the health or welfare of an elderly person. Abuse can be physical, psychological or financial. It can also take the form of neglect. Abuse happens in the home, the community and in active and long term care facilities.
Abusers can be family members, informal or formal caregivers, friends and landlords.
A recent national survey indicated that 1 in 25 people over the age of 65 and living in the community have suffered some form of abuse. It occurs within all economic, social and cultural groups. Older men and women are subjected equally to some form of mistreatment which often includes a combination of abuses, such as physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse and neglect. Many older adults do not report maltreatment and most professionals are unaware of the problem. The ultimate goal is prevention through a coordinated and comprehensive community service delivery system.