Background: A range of post-migration risk factors contributes to the vulnerability of older immigrants to elder abuse. There is no research about elder abuse in Arabic-speaking communities in Canada to inform strategies to address this problem. Our project aims to identify the risk factors for, and relevant strategies to address elder abuse in this community.

Methods: This mixed methods study involved a total of 97 older Arabic-speaking immigrant women and men, family members, community leaders, and service providers in separate group interviews. Participants rated the importance of factors in contributing to elder abuse, and engaged in a discussion of how these factors operated. An intersectionality framework guided the data collection and analysis to capture the diversity as well as the shared beliefs and values, across Arabic-speaking communities. This presentation will focus on the discussions with older immigrant women (n= 24).

Findings: Participants shared that senior and nursing homes were a pragmatic solution to reduce social isolation. Many noted gender discrimination and patriarchal discourse as the main barriers that prevented them from fully expressing their needs to their families as well as settlement, health, and social service workers. Older women wearing the hijab identify this as a significant risk factor for their vulnerability to abuse. Older women considered the lack of English, to be linked to their stigmatization inside and outside the home, especially in the context of multi-generational co-residence. They further explained that they have difficulties building a social network, exploring the city, and accessing information about available social services because of their inability to communicate in English. Financial dependence remains an important risk factor that contributes to abuse. Due to barriers to employment and insufficient government financial support, they become socially isolated and financially and socially dependent on family members that exposes them to vulnerability to abuse.

Implications: The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of risk factors for elder abuse for Arabic-speaking older immigrant women. Such an understanding can be used to design multi-level, multi-sector interventions to address elder abuse.

Sepali Guruge, RN, PhD, is Professor and Research Chair in Urban Health in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Ryerson University. Dr. Guruge’s research with immigrant communities pays particular attention to the health inequities resulting from socio-economic marginalization; lack of/limited access to healthcare, education, employment, and language training; housing insecurity; racism and discrimination; and the interactive effects of these issues. Since 2008, within this larger program of research, she has focused on elder abuse in immigrant communities. Her research findings have been disseminated in various formats in over 15 languages, making her work accessible beyond English-speaking audiences. Dr. Guruge has received numerous internal and external awards in recognition of her work. In 2014, she was selected to be part of inaugural cohort of the College of the New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada. Her work can be found at: www.ImmigrantHealthResearch.ca

Souraya Sidani, PhD, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, ssidani@ryerson.ca
Mari Kozak, MD, Ryerson University, mari.kozak@ryerson.ca
Saad El Hakmi, MA, Ryerson University, selhakmi@ryerson.ca
Souhail Boutmira, Ryerson University, souhail.boutmira@ryerson.ca
Mia Hershkowitz, PhD(s), Ryerson University, mia.hershkowitz@ryerson.ca