What we heard

Adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect (sometimes referred to as adult protection or elder abuse) is understood differently depending on the province, territory, country, and even agency. It can be argued that one of the issues in addressing this issue is the lack of consistent language. The Government of Canada recently publish Consultation on a federal policy definition of senior abuse: What we heard.

What we heard is an interesting read and it incorporates yet I am struck by the continued use of the term “abuse”. Issues pertaining to adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect are often grouped into the terms “elder abuse” or “senior abuse” (as Canada does in the above report). Using “elder abuse” or “senior abuse” as the umbrella term for adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect is problematic for a variety of reasons.

  1. It ignores the nuances of self-neglect, a social issue that is complex and requires specialized approaches to engagement, assessment, and intervention.

  2. It inaccurately labels adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect as something that only occurs for “older adults” and dismisses the unique experiences of those who live with varying types of abilities which leave them more vulnerable to harm.

  3. By lumping abuse, neglect, and self-neglect together under “abuse” it creates uncertainty as to when an individual can seek help, prioritizing “abuse” over other concerns.