Elder abuse among Canadian Veterans: a comprehensive examination using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

With Canadians living longer, it is likely that elder abuse will affect a growing number of older adults. For Veterans, military service and its aftermath may affect their ability to form relationships and to function, when returning to civilian life, thereby placing them in a particularly vulnerable position. Evidence shows that Veterans live longer than non-Veterans, and they report a higher prevalence of negative physical and mental health conditions compared to non-Veterans. As a result, they may be at higher risk of being abused and neglected than the general population, but this possibility is presently unexplored for Canadian Veterans. The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging offers an opportunity to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive profile of elder abuse among the veteran population. Identifying the pervasiveness, risk factors, and consequences will inform the development of targeted and strategic elder abuse prevention strategies among Canadian Veterans.