Models of Intervention for “Elder Abuse and Neglect”: A Canadian Perspective on Ageism, Participation, and Empowerment

Ageism is widely acknowledged as pervasive in our society both in the literature and by the public at large. The mistreatment of older people may be seen in part as a reflection of that ageism. Various models of intervention to alleviate specific instances of elder mistreatment are described in the literature. Six models have been identified in the literature or labeled by the present author as: the psycho-pathological model, the systems model, the hierarchical model, the quasi-legal model, the child welfare model, and the participatory model. In order to provide a context for a discussion of these models this paper begins by: (1) discussing the ageist context for interventions in “elder abuse and neglect”; (2) reviewing the limitations imposed on interventions by existing legal/professional frameworks; and (3) considering how the construction of elder abuse and neglect as a social problem relates to ageism embedded in the models. The models of intervention are then reviewed and the extent to which they reflect embedded ageism and/or the potential to address it, are discussed. It is concluded that, at present, all of the models have ageist elements but that the participatory model has the most potential to overcome ageism and promote the well-being of older people through their empowerment. The discussion is rooted in the Canadian experience but also refers to the experiences of the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.