CARP Poll Uncovers High Rate of Elder Abuse: Those With Caregivers Most At Risk

When respondents are asked what they would do if they suspected someone they knew was being abused, the vast majority say they would report it to someone else (80%) as opposed to investigating themselves (16%). This demonstrates the strong willingness of people to act but also the critical need for a robust third-party reporting and enforcement system to deal with elder abuse.

There is less agreement when respondents are asked the best way to deal with abuse. The largest group opt for greater public awareness (37%), followed by those who favour stiffer laws (21%) or more caregiver supervision (17%). This would suggest that respondents are unclear where the responsibility for dealing with elder abuse lies – with the public or with the authorities.

A very small sub-group of our sample have caregivers (3%), but incidence of elder abuse is especially high among this group (20%), clearly a vulnerable one.

Our sample of respondents is predominantly male (57%), and average age is 69.5 years.

In conclusion, it is clear a significant portion of older Canadians are being abused, especially the most vulnerable, and there is a demonstrated need for an organized reporting system for those who are aware of abuse taking place.

Survey results are based on a self-selected sample of more than 2000 members of CARP who received the organization’s online newsletter. Results can be said to be accurate within 2.2%, either up or down, at the 95% confidence level. That is, if all recipients of CARP Action Online who responded to surveys were asked these questions, their answers would be within 2% of those shown here, 19 out of 20 times asking the identical question.