A Multidisciplinary Care Management Approach to Preventing and Managing Elder Abuse: The Singapore Experience

Abstract

Whilst the prevalence of elder abuse (EA) remains under-investigated in Singapore, EA is bound to be a growing challenge due to an ageing population and the high expectation of caregiving on the immediate family. The Singapore government has set up platforms for preventing and managing EA, such as the establishment of the National Family Violence Networking System, the Family Violence Dialogue Group and Family Violence Specialist Centres. Legislative framework has also been developed to protect vulnerable elders. However, there are still many implementation and practice gaps in detecting and managing cases of EA, especially for frontline care teams working in the various community aged care services. Due to the specific attributes and needs of the vulnerable elders, a team-based multidisciplinary care management approach is required for the detection, assessment, care planning, protective segregation, risk mitigation, rehabilitation and long-term prevention of EA. Ultimately, sustainable prevention of EA amongst community-dwelling elders lies in the building of an age-friendly and resilient community, whereby people of all ages are empowered and supported to own and contribute to the collective ecosystem of care for one another.