Partners In Care: Preventing & Responding to Abuse, Neglect and Self-Neglect

On October 9th, 2024 the Vancouver Divisions Seniors and Frail Elder Care Committee partnered with the Vancouver Primary Care Networks to deliver an in-person event focusing on preventing and responding to abuse, neglect and self-neglect for seniors. This event was the second in the Partners in Care Series, the first one was in March of this year and focused on navigating resources for frail seniors. You can view the resource page for that first event here. 72 Primary Care Providers attended the session to receive valuable information from the Vancouver Coastal Health ReAct Team, the Public Guardian and Trustee, as well as Seniors First BC.

The infographic below gives a high level summary of the event.

Event Resources

Did you miss the event, or need a refresher? You can view helpful resources from the event below

Miscellaneous Q & A

Q: Are there any supports i.e. home care to support keeping elders at home, instead of retirement homes?

PCN interprofessional Team

Home Health: has an abundance of programs tailored to seniors' needs to keep them at home.

Home and Community Care Access Lines - Vancouver (604) 263-7377 Fax:(604 267-3419

Once your client is connected with Home Health, the Home Health clinician may refer them to the following programs if necessary:

Adult Day Programs (Services provided in and out of home setting)
Senior Adult Day Programs
Home Support Services
End of Life/Palliative Care - Physician and Clinicians: CLICK HERE for your local palliative care program information.
Speech-Language Pathology and Swallowing Assessment Services
Overnight Respite
Choice in Support for Independent Living (CSIL)
Family/Caregiver Support
Medical Equipment Provisions Program (MEPP)

Better at Home Program: offers non-medical home support services through different community-based agencies, ranging from light housekeeping, grocery shopping, friendly visiting & more.

Meals on Wheels programs: provides home-delivered meals to support seniors, persons with disabilities, and those recovering from illness/surgery in the community. Volunteers delivering the meals may also offer friendly visiting as an informal check in on their safety and wellbeing.

Q: I have a few seniors in my practice who are living in poverty, alone, and isolated. I'm not worried about abuse or dementia. What would be a good resource for them?

Seniors Services Society of BC

Phone: 604.520.6621

Form and Tax Completion
Better at Home Programs (UWBC)
Meal Delivery
Housing Navigation Information
Homeless Outreach Services
Homeless Prevention Program
Temporary Housing Program

*Information provided in Q & A below is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If unsure about liability or legal issues pleas seek independent legal advice.

Speaker Q & A

When a suspected case is reported to PGT, what is the average timeline for response and investigation? (Ballpark? 2 weeks? 2 months? 6 months?)

The PGT aims to review a new referral within 1 business day to assess the risk and urgency. An investigation timeline varies depending on a number of factors including volume, complexity, and timely responses from third parties. It will usually take longer than 6 months for an investigation to conclude.

What is the average wait time to get the process started with PGT?

If the patient has a higher income, where do they get sent?

Are there any supports I.e. home care to support keeping elders at home, instead of retirement homes?

How should we ask patients for consent to disclose patient information? Is there a part of the law that mandates the release of medical information?

When PGT requests the opinion of the Primary Care Provider or for records, what are the legal implications for the Primary Care Provider if they don’t have a patient's consent?

How can we protect ourselves if we do not document the name of the reporter anywhere or in the patient's file?

I have a few seniors in my practice who are living in poverty, alone, and isolated. I'm not worried about abuse or dementia. Can PGT help with financing?

Is there a timeframe of past events you can aid with (how many years ago). Ex. If the abuse happened several years ago and is no longer active as the alleged perpetrator left (but assets were lost)

If someone reports an abuse to PGT, do you need the name and contact information of the reporter?

Who has access to the information and documents that folks have uploaded to the NIDUS Registry?

If a neighbour or a friend reports an abuse to PGT, other than the name do you need the PHN or DOB of the victim? What if the reporter does not have that info?

What is the age limit for SAIL? (Is it only 65 and older?)

If a patient uses SAIL is the Primary Care Provider informed that the patient has made this connection?

When should we report suspected abuse to Sail vs ReAct.

If a neighbour or a friend reports an abuse to SAIL other than the name do you need the PHN or DOB of the victim? What if the reporter does not have that info?

When a suspected case is reported to ReAct, what is the average timeline for response and investigation?

Is there a special form we need to use for VCH ReAct services?

How should we ask patients for consent to disclose patient information? Is there a part of the law that mandates the release of medical information?

If someone reports an abuse to ReAct do you need the name and contact information of the reporter?

When ReAct requests the opinion of the Primary Care Provider or for records, what are the legal implications for the Primary Care Provider if they don’t have a patient's consent?

How does ReAct recommend we protect ourselves if we do not document the name of the reporter anywhere or in the patient's file?

If a neighbour or a friend reports an abuse to ReACT, other than the name do you need the PHN or DOB of the victim? What if the reporter does not have that info?