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Elder Abuse Elder abuse is the intentional action which infringes harm or develops a dangerous risk of harm among the elderly.

Elder abuse involves the failure of the caregivers to meet the elder’s basic needs and also safeguard the elder from harm.

-More than 18, 000 elderly individuals in Canada are subjected to more than one form of abuse.

-About 4% of elders in Canadian Private dwellings have been abused.

Effects of Elder Abuse • Physiological Distress

• Depression

• Fear

• Anxiety

o Chronic pain

Causes of Elder Abuse • Lack of social support

• Family stress

• Cultural issues

• Persistence of domestic violence

Types of Elder Abuse • Physical abuse • Verbal abuse • Emotional abuse • Sexual abuse

How to prevent Elder Abuse • Building supports to keep the community

safe • Increase funding • Supporting primary caregivers • Keeping the elders active • Protecting elders from high-risk caregivers