Preventing mistreatment: protective factors

Protective factors reduce the risk that a situation of mistreatment will develop or continue. They are divided into two categories: those related to the person and those related to their environment.

It is less likely that a situation of mistreatment of an older adult or a person of full age in a vulnerable situation will develop or continue when the person has one or more of the following characteristics:

• good stress management skills;
• an ability to express their emotions and feelings easily;
• an ability to cope with events and make sense of them;
• good self-awareness so they know when to ask for help;
• good knowledge of rights;
• feel capable of asking for help and using the services available if necessary;
• look to the future;
• positive acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity;
• a sense of belonging to the community;
• are engaged socially (leisure activities, volunteering);
• are a long-term immigrant or have permanent status;
• are eligible for government benefits;
• have adequate health care and drug insurance.

It is less likely that a situation of mistreatment of an older adult or a person of full age in a vulnerable situation will develop or continue when the person:

• has a quality social network, made up of people they trust, who are appropriate, available and resourceful;
• lives in a healthy and safe environment;
• lives in an environment free of ageism;
• lives in an environment free of social exclusion;
• is in a stable financial situation.

Do you think you are being mistreated?
Have you witnessed a situation of mistreatment or do you have doubts about your behaviour toward someone?

Visit the Help and resources for older adults and vulnerable people page or contact the Mistreatment Helpline (a listening, referral and support telephone service that specializes in the field of mistreatment of older adults and adults in vulnerable situations).