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

See all articles by Joan Braun

Joan Braun

Lakehead University - Bora Laskin Faculty of Law

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

Braun, Joan, Preventing Harm to Vulnerable Older Adults: A Social Justice Perspective (April 30, 2021). Joan Braun, Preventing Harm to vulnerable Older Adults: A Social Justice Perspective (2021) 31:6 Research on Social Work Practice at 551, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4087013

Joan Braun (Contact Author)

Lakehead University - Bora Laskin Faculty of Law ( email )

955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.lakeheadu.ca/users/B/jbraun2/node/57003

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