Elder Abuse & Neglect in the Chinese Community Presented by Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association 2009 ONPEA Conference November 03, 2009
Mar 26, 2015
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!