Elder Abuse and Neglect: What Volunteers Need to Know

Elder Abuse and Neglect: What Volunteers Need to Know is an introductory elder abuse workshop.  This workshop has been created for volunteers who work with older people and Boards of Directors of organizations that serve aging clients.

There are 3 types of resources available here:

• A workshop in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, including slide notes for the workshop facilitator.
• A Resources Handout, including agencies that respond to reports of elder abuse, and organizations that provide legal advice, referrals and victim assistance.  
• A list of key questions for Boards of Directors to consider in ensuring their organization is prepared to respond to concerns about adults who have been abused or neglected.

Below is a direct link to the resources handout, French and English versions:

Elder Abuse and Neglect: What Volunteers Need to Know - Resources Handout

Les mauvais traitements envers les aînés : Ce que tout bénévoles doit savoir - Document ressources

The workshop answers the questions:

• What is elder abuse?
• What are the laws that apply to elder abuse and neglect?
• What can I do if I have concerns that an older person is being abused or neglected?

The workshop is divided into 4 parts:

1. What is elder abuse and neglect?
2. When and how are you required to respond to elder abuse?
3. How do you identify the best response?
4. Who to call for more information or to respond to concerns about abuse?

The law is different in every province and territory in Canada, as are the resource agencies available.  There are 26 versions of the workshop available through this website: one for each province and territory and each workshop is available in French and English.

Be mindful that the law changes over time. The workshops are current to April 2011.

These materials have been vetted for accuracy by lawyers.  Please do not alter the content.  The materials contain information about the law.  They are not legal advice.  Please contact a lawyer if you require legal advice in relation to a particular incident.

All the tools available on this project are published in French and English versions.  The Resources Handout (Document resources) is a national list with sections for each province and territory as well as national agencies. 

Click the OTHER tab above to  select documents to download.