Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250

Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250

The Elder Abuse Response TeamThe Elder Abuse Response TeamNational Victims of Crime Week

University of Calgary Downtown Campus

Nicole Dowling, CFSA/Sgt. Graeme Smiley, CPS

April 25, 2013


• For the purposes of triage, EART defines Elder Abuse as follows:

– Victim is over 65.– Victim resides in the City of Calgary.– The alleged abuser is in a trusting relationship

with the victim (e.g. family, caregiver, trusted friend).

– Suspected that a criminal offence has occurred or is occurring.


• 3 Full time Social Workers

• 3 Full time Police Officers

• 1 Full time Project Coordinator

• 1 Part Time Nurse

• 1 Part time Community Development Worker

• Investigative response.– Criminal justice, victim safety planning, offender

management, civil law referral, social services.

• Continuity of service and support for client.

• Resource to other Professionals.

• Increased awareness of Elder Abuse as an important issue.



• EART opened 157 cases of elder abuse in 2012 (153 investigated), 126 of which are closed. In 10 cases, charges were laid.

• Types of abuse investigated include neglect, physical violence, financial abuse, verbal/emotional abuse, sexual abuse.

• Criminal charges include assault, threats, extortion, criminal harassment, fraud, theft and breaches of court ordered conditions.


• Victim’s Mental Capacity – current, and at the time of the offense.– Signing of Documents, Statements and Testimony

• Consent• Recanting/Reconsidering – The “Open Door”• Family Affair - Lack of independent witnesses• Civil or Criminal?• Lack of Case Law


Social Work RoleSocial Work RoleA) Resource , supportive and adjustment counseling

B) Referrals to community partners and agencies

C) Court orientation, accompaniment to court, updates

E) Follow up

F) Family Education

G) Risk assessment

H) Offender Management


Referral SourcesReferral Sources• Home Care• The Way In Network• Calgary Seniors Resource Society• City of Calgary Programs – City Link• Alberta Health Services• Mental Health Community Supports• Legal Aid/Legal Guidance – Elder Law Clinics• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee• The Kerby Centre


Case Example & InterventionCase Example & Intervention


Case ExampleCase Example• 80 year old sponsored immigrant living with dementia.

• Allegations of neglect, verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse.

• Elements of caregiver burnout, family discord, substance abuse, and loss of employment by the offenders.


InterventionIntervention• Meeting with Home Care and the family doctor. Strategizing a

care plan to assist client.

• Joint collaboration between EART and Chinese Elderly Citizens Association of Calgary.

• Hospitalization.

• Resource counseling for client to seek financial benefits.


InterventionIntervention• Family education on implications of dementia, and offender

management.

• Transition to a long term care placement.

• Seeking Guardianship, Trusteeship.

Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250

Documents

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