Mistreatment of Older Adults in Institutional Settings: A Review of Reporting Mechanisms
PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER:
Marie Beaulieu, Ph. D., University of Sherbrooke
RESEARCH TEAM:
Charmaine Spencer, Ph. D., Simon Fraser University
CHAIR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT:
Caroline Pelletier, Doctoral student and research assistant
Marie-Ève Manseau-Young, Research Assistant
Christyne Lavoie, Research assistant
GRANTING AGENCY AND GRANT AMOUNT:
Ministry of Health and Social Services (Quebec): $31,950
PROJECT COMPLETION DATES:
From November 9, 2013 to March 31, 2014
The election of a new government in the spring of 2014 has lead to administrative changes and has deferredthe completion date to January 2015.
ROLE OF CHAIR IN THE PROJECT:
Leader of the project
RESEARCH PROBLEM:
On October 11, 2013, Dr. Réjean Hébert, Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors, announced in a press release, “abuse in institutional settings is a phenomenon that needs to be documented. To get a better idea of the measures that could be implemented and to assess the relevance and challenges posed by an approach such as mandatory reporting, it is important to have a portrait of the phenomenon. This will allow us to better address the problem in order to ensure in the most optimal way the health and well-being of seniors.”
GOAL OF THE PROJECT OR RESEARCH QUESTION:
Assess the state of knowledge as well as the situation regarding the disclosure / reporting of mistreatment in institutional settings in order to clearly identify the existing measures or measures to be implemented to ensure optimal health and well-being among the senior clientele. It is important to have as accurate a picture as possible of the situation in order to clarify the relevance and issues related to mandatory reporting.
OBJECTIVES:
The mandate is based on two separate points:
- Draw a portrait of the phenomenon of mistreatment of older adults in institutional settings as well as identify the various existing mechanisms of reporting;
- Carry out a critical analysis of this portrait and propose avenues for solutions, if none is identified.
MEHODOLOGY:
Review of the Quebec, Canadian and international literature on mistreatment of seniors in institutional settings;
Interviews with several key players;
Assessment of reporting mechanisms in other jurisdictions;
Inventory of the existing mechanisms in Quebec and review of their use.
PROJECT ADVANCEMENT:
This mandate includes three steps: 1) Take an inventory of what is there now on the subject at the Canadian and international levels; 2) Take an inventory in Quebec, while having a partnership approach with the Seniors’ Secretariat and 3) Perform a literature review of international scientific writings.
A literature review, an inventory of the existing reporting mechanisms in the various Canadian jurisdictions,as well as a review of the existing mechanisms in Quebec, has been achieved so far. Some 150 key practitioners were also consulted. A meeting with the new minister responsible for seniors, Ms. Francine Charbonneau, was held on August 22, 2014 to identify action items requiring follow-up from this mandate. A preliminary report was submitted to the Seniors’ Secretariat on September 29, 2014. A final report was submitted to them on January 12, 2015.The Chair will produce a summary of the report by the fall of 2015. In the meantime, the Ministry is performing an analysis of the report content already submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Beaulieu, M. (February 11, 18, 25 and 26, 2014). Portrait des mécanismes de dénonciation à l’égard de la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées en milieu d’hébergement. Presented at three meetings of the partners of the Quebec Ministry of health and Social Services with the Minister responsible for Seniors, Dr. Réjean Hébert. and at one meeting at the Secrétariat aux aînés. Québec (Québec).
PUBLICATIONS:
Beaulieu, M., Manseau-Young, M.-E., Pelletier, C., & Spencer, C. (2015). La maltraitance envers les personnes aînées en milieu d’hébergement. État de situation sur sa prise en charge et mise en perspective d’une approche visant le signalement obligatoire. Rapport final remis à la Ministre responsable des aînés. 116 p.
Beaulieu, M., Manseau-Young, M.-E., Pelletier, C., Spencer, C. (2014). La maltraitance envers les personnes aînées en milieu d’hébergement. État de situation sur sa prise en charge et mise en perspective d’une approche visant le signalement obligatoire. Summary report – working version submitted to the Seniors’ Secretariat (59 pages).