Elder Abuse & Neglect in the Chinese Community

Presented by

Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association

2009 ONPEA ConferenceNovember 03, 2009

Presentation Outline

About Carefirst Rationale for Elder Abuse Prevention &

Intervention Program Service Delivery Model Program Highlights Outputs and Outcomes Impact and Challenges Questions and Answers

About Carefirst

Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association

Established since 1976 Full range of community support services Service catchment – Greater Toronto and

surrounding areas Clientele – Ethno-specific for Chinese seniors and

people in need Language - Cantonese, Mandarin, other Chinese

dialects Accredited by Accreditation Canada

Rationale for Program

Elder abuse within the Chinese community - an untouched and unexplored issue

2006 Statistics Canada Report, Chinese being one of the largest visible minority populations in the Greater Toronto Area:

- Richmond Hill – 22.3 % - Markham – 35.5% - Scarborough – 35% - North York – 17.7 % - City of Toronto – 12.5% Lack of ethno-specific services in the Chinese

community in Toronto to address the elder abuse issue

Stressors for Canadian Chinese Seniors

Theory of “double jeopardy” Value discrepancy with Adult children -

Canadianized values Change of lifestyle, family pattern (e.g.

nuclear Vs extended family) Change of social/economic status Newcomer Chinese seniors – dependent,

language and cultural barriers

Chinese Traditional Values

Confucius – “Hao” (filial piety)

Elders – authority, family head, controller, decision maker (e.g. divorce the wife if the parents don’t like her)

Elders - Respect, obey, taken care of

Not being filial – sin, despised upon, guilt

Folklores – gods help those who are filial and pious

孝孝

Research Background

Research on elder abuse in the Chinese community is virtually non-existent

Research with support from University of Toronto –

“In Disguise: Elder Abuse and Neglect within Chinese Community” in 2002

Elder abuse generally refers to “any action or inaction that jeopardizes the health and well-being of an older person.” Different types of abuse: financial, physical,

psychological and neglect Approximately 4-10% of seniors experience

abuse (1300-3200 Chinese elderly in Toronto CMA)

Research Findings

Common Forms of Elder Abuse and Neglect within Chinese community in Toronto area: Disrespect, the most notable from of abuse that

emerged Verbal Threats and Humiliation Movement and Space Restrictions Provide Necessities only Financial Abuse which occurred mainly through

access and Control of seniors’ finances Physical Abuse

Causal Factors of Abuse

Social, Structural and Environmental Factors Isolation and Extreme Loneliness Immigrant and Settlement issues Financial Hardship for Immigrant Families Taking Care of ill elderly is Hard Work Traditional Chinese Values and Beliefs

about Family and Care

Strategies Proposed by Research Education and Awareness Activities Supplementary Support Services Caregiver Support Groups Expand the level and scope of homecare

services Fund community agencies for social,

recreational and educational programs to prevent elder abuse and neglect

Provide consultation services to agencies serving seniors

Carefirst Elder Abuse Intervention Model

ProfessionalCounseling

Intensive Case Management

Solution-focused CounselingClient Intervention & Assistance

Client Self-support Group

Care Management

Advocacy and collaboration Educational Workshops

Information BoothsChinese Elder Abuse Helpline

Chinese Elder Abuse Drama Group Social and Recreational Activities

Education and Prevention

Client Stratification Practice Model to develop different programs to address different levels of abuse issue

Program Highlights Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline Training program designed by U. of Toronto’s

School of Social Work Monitoring by trained volunteer counselors with

the support of staff Operating Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm Provide information and resources to callers on

elder abuse prevention Provide peer supportive counseling for seniors,

caregivers, and victims of elder abuse Provide referrals to other services

Program Highlights

Chinese Elder Abuse Drama Club A volunteer-led group aims to engage the

seniors to take an active role in outreach and educate the community on elder abuse

Skits are written by the volunteer seniors Performance and role play different issues

relating to the common forms of abuse in the Chinese community at different workshops, community events, and outreach activities

Vivid, effective and culturally specific way to outreach and disseminate relevant information to the Chinese seniors

Program Highlights

Elder Abuse Educational Workshops

For general public in the Community On-going delivery in libraries, churches,

community centres, and senior buildings.

For Health Care Professionals To increase elder abuse awareness among

health care professionals such as nurses and personal support workers.

Case work Counselling Service

Brief Solution-focused Counseling Stay close to client’s own definition of the

issue Client is the one to make the change Negotiate a problem that can be solved

realistically Involve family members where appropriate

Outputs From Sept. 2008 – August 2009

46 new cases in Toronto and York 48 workshops were delivered in Toronto, York

and Mississauga areas with 1732 participants About 150 health professionals participated in

the educational workshops 18 senior volunteers joined the drama club

Outcomes From Sept. 2008 – August 2009

42% have never heard of the topic of Elder Abuse before

97% have better understanding on the topic 94% feel a more positive attitude towards the

topic 95% are more aware of available community

resources 91%will now be more comfortable/willing to

seek help if encountering the issue 98% feel the workshop topic meets their

expectation 72% will attend future workshops with related

topics

Impact

Individual senioro Empower victims and at-risk seniors to protect

themselves o Improve the capacity of victims and at-risk

seniors in accessing needed resourceso Enhance self-reliance and independency o Improve daily functioning and well-being

Impact

Family / caregiver

o Reduce tension among family memberso Increase hormonal relationship among family

members

Communityo Increase public and professional awareness

about the prevention of elder abuse and neglect within the Chinese Community

o Increase clients’ service accessibility

Challenges

Individuals’ unwillingness or fear to report and ask for help

Limited Funding to deliver and sustain a long-term Still an “Untouched” topic for many families

Unavailability of ethno specific intensive counseling service

Lack of ethno and linguistic appropriate emergency shelters for abused Chinese seniors

Inadequate comprehensive program Lack of coordination and collaboration among

agencies and other stakeholders Non-existence of bills to cover elder abuse in a

more comprehensive way

Carefirst Elder Abuse Helpline

(416) 502-2321

Questions and Answers

Thank You!