Abstract
As a consequence of the steadily growing older population, and increased demands on family for community based care of elderly,
elder abuse is an issue to be considered in all domains of social work practice. Intervention in cases of elder abuse is often
fraught with ambiguity and ethical dilemmas as the application of professional principles is less than straightforward, bringing
to the fore personal, legal, and ethical concerns in the management of the client’s safety and well-being. This article addresses
challenges which arise from the complexity of elder abuse cases and reviews clinical, ethical, and legal obligations to inform
ethical decision-making.
elder abuse is an issue to be considered in all domains of social work practice. Intervention in cases of elder abuse is often
fraught with ambiguity and ethical dilemmas as the application of professional principles is less than straightforward, bringing
to the fore personal, legal, and ethical concerns in the management of the client’s safety and well-being. This article addresses
challenges which arise from the complexity of elder abuse cases and reviews clinical, ethical, and legal obligations to inform
ethical decision-making.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 174-182
- DOI 10.1007/s10615-010-0269-2
- Authors
- Kirsten Donovan, University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work 246 Bloor Street West Toronto ON M5A 1S1 Canada
- Cheryl Regehr, University of Toronto Academic Programs 27 Kings College Circle Toronto ON M5A 1S1 Canada
- Journal Clinical Social Work Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-3343
- Print ISSN 0091-1674
- Journal Volume Volume 38
- Journal Issue Volume 38, Number 2