Preventing Harm to Vulnerable Older Adults: A Social Justice Perspective
Joan Braun, Preventing Harm to vulnerable Older Adults: A Social Justice Perspective (2021) 31:6 Research on Social Work Practice at 551
43 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 2022
Date Written: April 30, 2021
Abstract
This article presents the results from a qualitative study that explored how legislation in British Columbia, intended to protect vulnerable adults from harm, is implemented in practice. The legislation contains guiding principles that require the least restrictive and minimally intrusive form of support or intervention be used, and that the adult’s wishes be respected. Sixteen professionals who work as elder abuse responders in British Columba participated in this study through interviews and a focus group. Fifteen of the study participants were social workers. Grounded theory method was used, and themes were identified. The first theme reveals that responders prefer to obtain older adult consent to service provider involvement, rather than forcing compliance by using statutory authority. The second theme reveals that responders may not be able to intervene in a minimally intrusive manner because of resource shortages and organizational structural issues. These findings have human rights and social justice implications.
Keywords: adult protection legislation, elder abuse, social support, disabilities, older adult, social work practice, human rights, social justice.
JEL Classification: K10, I118,
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation