“Flying by the Seat of Our Pants”: Current Processes to Share Best Practices to Deal With Elder Abuse

Abstract

We examined current processes used to identify, communicate, and adopt “best practices” in the field of elder abuse using an iterative process involving literature and Internet reviews, surveys completed by stakeholders, and key informant interviews. Results indicate minimal research evidence exists to support current assessment and intervention strategies; there is an immediate need for more evaluation and research in this area and for improved knowledge exchange and translation. Two strategic directions are recommended: to (a) build capacity for research and program evaluation to advance knowledge of effective practices, and (b) build capacity for knowledge exchange to enhance professionals' efforts.

Keywords:

• elder abuse
• best practices
• knowledge exchange
• knowledge translation
• research priorities

Acknowledgments

This article is based on a report prepared under contract to Human Resources and Social Development Canada as part of a series of documents prepared for an Expert Roundtable on Elder Abuse held in Ottawa, Canada in June 2008. The Project Team appreciates the assistance of Dr. Charmaine Spencer, Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, who helped us to identify key stakeholders from across the country. We are grateful to Dr. Marie Beaulieu for assistance in identifying French language sources. Sarah Meyer and Christine Glenny provided assistance in collating some of the information. We are very grateful to the people who participated in this consultation process by completing our online survey or participating in interviews.

Notes

1. Grey Literature is material not formally published such as institutional, organizational reports, conference proceedings, working documents, and other materials not controlled by commercial publishers.

2. Items in parentheses following quotes, e.g., SR17, IP1.2, are codes that identify the speaker. SR = survey respondent, IP = interview participant; the numbers refer to identification numbers.