The Contribution of Canadian Non-Profit Organisations in Countering Material and Financial Mistreatment of Older Adults

Abstract

In Quebec, a Canadian province, public policy focuses on a continuum of services. Non-profit organisations (NPOs), specialised in countering mistreatment of older adults (MOA), are essential partners. They work with social workers from public health and social services (PHSS). The research project Volunteering to Counter Material or Financial Mistreatment of Older Adults documents the roles of NPOs. This paper presents the specific actions assumed by practitioners and volunteers. Case studies were conducted with five French-speaking Canadian NPOs. Data were collected through content analysis of administrative documents and interviews (administrators, practitioners, volunteers and older adults receiving services) (n = 64 participants). Results are presented according to three roles: prevention, detection and intervention. NPOs that are either ‘specialised’ or ‘collaborative’ respond differently to material and financial MOA. NPOs participating in the project are mainly active in prevention and the volunteers are pivotal to certain activities. In ‘collaborative’ NPOs, detection typically occurs when older adults, while participating in prevention activities, recognise they are victims or witnesses to MOA. The subsequent intervention is mainly limited to referrals to the PHSS, specifically to social workers. In ‘specialised’ NPOs, volunteers are directly involved in detection and intervention when their experiences from their former professions are deemed relevant.

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