Adult Protection is not aAdult Protection is not a

bad wordbad word…

Jackie Doran-MacLeod, MSW,RSW

Adult Protection Consultant

PEI Department of Health

Prince Edward Island’s Prince Edward Island’s collaborative approach collaborative approach to abuse and neglect to abuse and neglect

of its older adultsof its older adults

Our Service

• 9 designated Adult Protection Workers on PEI• Based out of Homecare Offices• 50% of role is Adult Protection• Staff Profile

• 80% Social Workers• 20% Registered Nurses

• PEI Population is 135,850 (Stats Can 2006 Census Data)

Prince

Queens

Kings

Role of the Provincial Adult Protection ConsultantRole of the Provincial Adult Protection Consultant

•Consultation / support

•Attend complex home visits, case conferences and court proceedings

•Establish protocols and policies

•Training of frontline staff, management, and the public

•Monthly team meetings per county

•Quarterly Provincial Adult Protection Meetings

PEI – Has an aging population

• Third highest proportion of seniors (65 +) in the Country1. Nova Scotia 15.4%2. New Brunswick 15.2%3. PEI 15.1%

• Islanders age 50+ comprise 36% of total population

PEI – Adult Protection StatisticsPEI – Adult Protection Statistics

•140 to 150 referrals per year

•60 to 70% are over the age of 65

•40 to 50% of referrals are for self neglect

•Reminder are – financial abuse - caregiver abuse/neglect - emotional/verbal abuse - physical and sexual abuse

•Our legislation also covers institutional abuse allegations

Adult Protection Act (1988)Highlights

• Protects vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves from abuse and neglect

• Guiding Principles•Self-determination•Least intrusive intervention•Right to refuse assistance•Assistance must be in the best interest of the person

• Voluntary reporting

• Confidential referrals

Adult Protection Act (1988)Highlights cont

• Majority of cases – provide assistance to eliminate/reduce risk factors

• Rare cases go to court•Protection Intervention Order•Emergency Order

• Last case to court was 3 years ago

• 8 Emergency Orders in the past 18 months

• All EOs settled without a court hearing

Case examples

Helen

Helen’s Team

• AP worker and Consultant

• Family

• Community hospital/ family doctor

• Nursing home staff/ management

• RCMP

Nellie

Other team members in PEI

• Provincial Geriatric Program

Do joint home visits with AP workers!

• Geriatric Psychiatry

Do office visits!

Other team members

• Public Trustees

• Public Guardian

• Friends and neigbours

• Senior Peer Helper Program

• Band Chiefs and Councils

Other team members

• Hospitals

• Community Mental Health Outreach Workers

• Home Care

Community based solutions

versus court applications

is our GOAL

Collaboration/ good relationships/ communication is key