Is there evidence of abuse and neglect of older adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) COVID-19 survey?

Child and spousal abuse rates have been shown to increase during various types of disasters. While there is a dearth of data from other disasters concerning elder abuse, given known risk factors (e.g. social isolation, dependency, dementia), elder abuse will also likely escalate during COVID-19. This study will determine prevalence and predictors of COVID-19 baseline/exit survey participants age 65 and over who answer “yes” to a set of questions used to construct a Relationship Discord/Necessities Withheld Index which will serve as a proxy measure of elder abuse. Of particular interest are comparison of participants as a function of sexual orientation (LGBT vs heterosexual) and ethnic minority status (white vs Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour). LGBT persons have been shown to be at increased risk in prior disasters; examination of elder abuse during disasters as a function of ethnicity has not been explored previously in a Canadian older adult sample.