Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Sociology

Supervisor

Huey, Laura

Abstract

Despite an increased research and policy focus on Canada’s aging population, one area which has generated little attention is older adults who are reported missing. This raises concerns as Canada’s population ages and there is an increase in the number of older individuals who are reported missing (Statistics Canada 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018). Addressing this gap in the literature, this thesis examines the demographic and situational characteristics of a sample of 616 missing person reports gathered from two Canadian police agencies from 2014 to 2018. This thesis constructs a preliminary understanding of older adults who are reported missing in Canada, as well as identifies a range of demographic and situational factors for going missing. In particular, I identify the demographic and health characteristics of older adults who are reported missing as well as use a series of logistic regressions to examine which factors predict the spatial dimensions of missing occurrences, repeat missing occurrences, and being found within five hours. For the qualitative component, I conduct a thematic analysis of missing person reports (n=616) to identify salient themes relevant to becoming lost for both community and institutional dwelling older adults.

Summary for Lay Audience

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of older adults, particularly those living with dementia, who have been reported missing across Canada. In response to the growing number of older adults who are reported missing, this research examines the demographic, health and situational characteristics of a sample of 616 missing person reports from two municipal police agencies in Canada from 2014 to 2018. Through a mixed-methods analysis, I construct a preliminary understanding of older adults who are reported missing in Canada, as well as identify a range of demographic and situational factors for going missing. In particular, I identify the demographic and health characteristics of older adults who are reported missing as well use a series of predictive models to examine which factors predict the spatial dimensions of missing occurrences, repeat missing occurrences, and being found within five hours. I then make use of police notes to identify any contextual themes relevant to becoming lost as an older adult.

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