In this report, BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie details the results of a systemic review of seniors’ abuse and neglect in British Columbia. The review examined the protections that exist for B.C. seniors, the prevalence of seniors’ abuse and neglect, the method of reporting abuse and neglect, and the response to reports of seniors’ abuse and neglect. The report included reviewing five years of existing data, consulting with 144 stakeholders in 25 communities throughout B.C., and surveying over 1500 British Columbians.
The report includes five recommendations:
- Establish provincial standards of practice, policies, and front-line training to respond to seniors’ abuse and neglect
- Create province-wide public awareness initiatives and training on seniors’ abuse and neglect
- Develop a central, single point of contact to report calls of concern of seniors’ abuse and neglect
- Ensure consistent data collection, methods, and definitions to record, track and monitor abuse and neglect cases
- Undertake a full comprehensive review of the Adult Guardianship Act