Elder Abuse Response Team Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Elder Abuse Response Team

Waterloo Regional Police Service

Partnership

The Elder Abuse Response Team

Detective Mike Payne, WRPS

Elizabeth Nieson, RN Elder Abuse Resource Consultant, WW CCAC

[email protected]

Partner Roles: CCAC

provide coordination, information about services and options

providing consultation on cases working with officer to respond, advocate and

provide intervention services provide intake and assessment role facilitate a forum for case review facilitating referrals to Restorative Justice community development, raising awareness

Partner Roles: Police provide a Detective/Cst conduct criminal investigations ensure confidential police information is shared

appropriately liaise with crown attorney facilitate referrals to Restorative Justice, Victim

Service, VWAP identify gaps in services partner with others in the community raising awareness and community development

Supporting Documents

Memorandum of Understanding Sharing of information (PHIPA, Freedom of

Information and Protection Act Agreement between CCAC and WRPS

Elder Abuse Response Team Protocol Supports operating principles and key values

(respond to elder abuse by working in partnership and providing an opportunity for change and healing, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of older adults)

Elder Abuse - Definition

“Elder abuse is the mistreatment of an elderly

person by someone that they should be able to

rely on: a spouse, a child, another family

member, a friend, or a paid caregiver.”Senate Committee Report on Aging, 2009 – Canada’s Aging Population:

Seizing the Opportunity

Key Values

working in partnership with the community safety confidentiality dignity and respect autonomy access to information to make meaningful

decisions least restrictive interventions

Victim directed Intervention

Capable follow direction of

older adult options and referrals

to supports involvement of other

family/services

Incapable evidence of Power of Attorney Substitute Decision

Maker advocate on behalf of

older adult Public Guardian and

Trustee

Benefits of Partnership

1. information sharing Police – history of calls for service;

knowledge of provinicial and federal statues CCAC – obtaining and understanding

medical information; access to CCAC documentation for client’s at risk; partnership with community programs

information shared based PHIPA and Police Service Act and other privacy legislation

Benefits of Partnership continued

2. collection and dissemination of data

3. wider range of options presented to victim in one visit

4. direct referral to EART and

5. direct referral to community support services

6. shared education and initiatives that aid in the reduction of elder abuse

EART - Call source

EART is direct referral mandate to raise

awareness abuse recognized by

family and professionals

victims need support to seek help 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

call source

family

police

otheragency

CCAC

LTC/RH

doctor

victim

Family Violence ProjectWaterloo Region

SA/DV Treatment Centre CFCC Counselling Services Community Action Program for

Children EART Victim Services WRPS Domestic Violence Family and Children Services Women’s Crisis Services of

Waterloo Region Credit Counselling CFCC Crown Attorney

Joint Investigation safety (emergency housing option) determine offence (facts in issue) background (investigative and intelligence,

CCAC, medical) mobile obtainment of statements (audio/video) interview of caregivers, physicians, community

services obtain statements (witnesses) obtain relevant documents (POA, Dr., health

care professional assessments)

Possible Dispositions

charges laid – traditional court process diversion to restorative justice (Community

Justice Initiatives) referral to community agencies (CCAC;

community geriatric program; SW; victim services; community support connections; circles of care volunteers)

advocating for assessments (hospital; family physician)

advocating for support from informal caregivers

Case Studies

Questions ?