By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

A Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) study has shed light on what appear to be patterns of elder abuse in private seniors’ residences in Longueuil.

The study was led by UdeS social work professor and holder of the Research Chair on Mistreatment of Older Adults Mélanie Couture. Working with a local residents’ rights group in Longueuil, researchers spoke directly with residents of several private seniors’ residences and with caregivers to learn more about their own experiences of elder abuse.

Studies that consult elderly residents of care homes directly about their experiences are relatively rare, researchers found. “Our review of scientific literature around the world has demonstrated a glaring lack of data on mistreatment even though we hear about cases from stakeholders and also in the media,” Couture said.

The interviews “demonstrate[d] that mistreatment is expressed through omitted or inadequate care, unfulfilled commitments, non-recognition of residents’ needs as well as retaliation on the part of managers when they dare to complain,” the university said in a statement. Researchers also found that complaint procedures were often long, multilayered and hard to follow.

Although the full results haven’t been published, Couture said she and her colleagues wanted to publicize their findings as soon as possible, to shed light on a public health problem.

The study found patterns of “actions which cause harm, inactions which cause harm, and incidents of financial abuse” where residents were charged for care that wasn’t done. “This isn’t just a question of replacing one employee and solving all the problems,” said Couture.

Couture explained that the residents’ group and community organizations began laying the groundwork for the study as early as 2017, but the interviews took place in 2021 and 2022, shortly after the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as residents of private seniors’ homes bore the brunt of the labour shortage and the housing crisis. “The housing crisis brought in an element of nonchalance [because seniors were less likely to be able to find another place to live if they were unsatisfied.] The pandemic and the housing crisis didn’t help, but there was increased public awareness,” she said. She added that “very good private seniors’ residences do exist” but the housing shortage and rising costs make finding a good residence an arduous task for many seniors. She said stricter enforcement of existing regulations and improved government support for nonprofit and co-op seniors’ home projects may help prevent abuse in the long term.

Couture said she hopes the study and the wider public conversation about ill-treatment in seniors’ residences will lead more care home residents with concerns about their treatment or living conditions to file complaints or get a caregiver, health care professional or family member to complain on their behalf. Since 2021, each CISSS or CIUSSS has had a local complaints commissioner and a complaint assistance line (1 877 767-2227.). Complaints can also be made to the provincial citizens’ ombudsman in their capacity as health and social services patient ombudsman (1 800 463-5070) or the bilingual elder abuse helpline (1-888-489-2287).