Rights Focused Advocacy and Elder Abuse

Objective: To study the effectiveness of the Rights Focused Advocacy Model in supporting older people to overcome situations of elder abuse. Method: 100 case records were retrospectively analysed, which represented approximately 20% of total clients over an eighteen‐month period, from November 1997 to June 1999. Data recorded included: type of abuse, risk factors (for older person and abuser) and outcome (ie. whether or not abuse had ended). Results: 100 older people experienced 267 situations of abuse. The Rights Focused Advocacy Model enabled older people to take steps to stop abuse in 50% of those situations, and to take some action in 34% of situations. No change was recorded in 16% of cases. Conclusion: Rights Focused Advocacy is a holistic model that is effective in supporting older people to take steps to overcome the abuse that they experience.