Recordings and resources now available !
About
On May 13, CNPEA and EAPO held an online symposium focused on enhancing coordinated support of older victims of elder abuse, family violence, and gender-based violence, particularly when they are living with dementia or experiencing cognitive impairment.
Together, a series of speakers examined challenges, recommended practices and possible solutions to provide better support to individuals and their families who experience abuse in the context of dementia. This symposium aimed to:
- raise awareness of successful collaborative intervention team models across sectors to assist older adults who have experienced violence, abuse or neglect;
- illustrate the roles that support services and law enforcement can play in assisting older victims by being trained to detect ageism, avoid ableism, and understand seniors’ needs better;
- Examine best practices to provide safe, respectful, trauma -and violence- informed services and appropriate support.
Session 1 : Collective Response in systemic gaps of IPV of Older Adults
Margaret MacPherson, Research Associate, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children
When ageism, intimate partner violence, and dementia converge in a family crisis, critical gaps in our systems of care, knowledge, protections, and accountability come into view. This complexity can also create space for more collective, coordinated responses that are grounded in the principles of equity-oriented and trauma- and violence-informed care. The presentation will explore key lines of inquiry and strategies for cross-sectoral leadership that centre safety, dignity, and relational accountability.
Download the Presentation PDF
Resources:
Future Us: Roadmap to Elder Abuse Prevention: https://futureus.cnpea.ca/
EQUIP Health Care : https://equiphealthcare.ca/
Session 2: Coordinated Community Response models in Indigenous and Urban Communities in Alberta
April Tucker, Indigenous Resource Liaison (South),Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council (A.E.A.A.C)
Meaghan Westlund, Team Leader for Outreach Services, Unison Alberta Elder Abuse Shelter
This collaborative presentation explored how Coordinated Community Response (CCR) models, or “Hubs,” are developed and sustained within both Indigenous and urban communities. The presentation examined how these models differ from rural and urban CCR structures, emphasizing the importance of culturally grounded, holistic, and family centered approaches guided by the Nation as a whole. The discussion highlighted the strengths of community led collaboration rooted in traditional values.
An overview of Calgary’s urban CCR and its recent growth was shared, including the role of multi agency partnerships and how these relationships help strengthen community-based support. A brief case study demonstrated how a CCR approach could better support an older adult through coordinated care, and how urban CCRs can continue to expand by including organizations focused on cognitive health. Key supports available to individuals and families navigating cognitive changes were explore and how dementia-specific resources can be meaningfully integrated into CCR models to ensure more inclusive and responsive care.
Download the Presentation PDF
Resources:
Unison Alberta Elder Abuse Shelter : https://unisonalberta.com/elder-abuse
Staying Safe: A Resource for Older Adults Living in Alberta : https://albertaelderabuse.ca/resources/staying-safe-a-resource-for-older-adults-living-in-alberta
Infographic on Shelters and Transition Houses for Older People Across Canada : https://cnpea.ca/images/shelters_infographic_webfinal_2022.pdf
Alberta’s coordinated community response model : https://corealberta.ca/files/preview/14652
Coordinated community response to elder abuse : https://www.alberta.ca/coordinated-community-response-to-elder-abuse
The toolkit for developing a CCR : Addressing Elder Abuse: A Toolkit for Developing a Coordinated Community Response to elder abuse
Session 3: Cross-Sectoral Solutions: Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Through a Survivor-Led Support Program
Gifty Asare, PhD, Director of Research and Community Impact, WomenatthecentrE
This presentation highlighted key insights from Cross-Sectoral Solutions: Strengthening Community Capacity to Address the ‘Parallel Pandemic’ of Gender-Based Violence-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Through a Survivor-Led Support Intervention, a national project led by WomenatthecentrE. Drawing on a lifecourse approach, Gifty Asare explored the often-overlooked connection between gender-based violence (GBV) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and how these injuries can compound cognitive challenges across the lifespan. The session discussed survivor-informed strategies for cross-sector collaboration, with implications for elder abuse prevention, trauma-informed care, and supporting aging survivors of GBV who may also be experiencing the lifelong effects of TBI.
Download the Presentation PDF
Resources:
WomenatthecentrE: https://www.womenatthecentre.com
Cross Sectoral Solutions: Reframing Lived Experience : https://www.womenatthecentre.com/webinar-cross-sectoral-solutions-reframing-lived-experience/se
Session 4 : Part 1- Law enforcement response and support for Older Adult victims of IPV
Amanda Bitter, Detective Constable, Major Crimes Bureau, Intimate Partner Violence, York Regional Police
DC Bitter discussed the role of police in responding to violence against older adults and the complexities of IPV victims and accused, including dementia as a vulnerability and risk factor. Various case studies were presented which explored why an interdisciplinary approach is required to address the difficulties in navigating these intricate cases and intersectional issues.
Download Presentation PDF
Part 2 : Best practices for interviewing older adults with diverse backgrounds and needs:
Current research and future directions
Joshua Wyman, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, King’s University College, Western University
Dr. Wyman discussed the existing research on evidenced-based practices for interviewing older adult victims and witnesses. He provided an overview of special considerations when interviewing older adults who have cognitive and physical-related challenges, including beneficial interviewing accommodations and supports. He also discussed recent research on the training needs of health and law enforcement professionals in Ontario for supporting older adults who are most at-risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Download Presentation PDF
Resources:
Interview guidelines specific to older adults
Government of Australia: Best Practice Guidelines for Interviewing Older People At-Risk : https://nsclegal.org.au/resources/best-practice-guidelines-for-interviewing-older-people-at-risk-2023/
SAFE: Safe Accessible Forensic Interviewing for Elders : https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/safe-training
Interview guidelines for general adult populations
P.E.A.C.E Model of Forensic Interviewing :https://www.fis-international.com/resources/
Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings (UK Interviewing Guidelines): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/achieving-best-evidence-in-criminal-proceedings
Free Resources – Forensic Interview Solutions :www.fis-international.com