Can an elderly person or their family get a restraining order against an abusive caregiver in Ontario?

Yes, in appropriate circumstances. Where a caregiver's conduct toward an elderly person involves harassment, threats, or a genuine safety risk, a restraining or protective order can be sought through the courts, and where the conduct is criminal in nature, involving police and the criminal justice system is also an important avenue, since a criminal charge can come with its own conditions restricting contact. Who can bring the application, and through which court, depends on the specific relationship between the parties and the nature of the conduct involved.

Where the elderly person is capable, they can generally pursue this kind of protection themselves, with family support if needed. Where they're incapable and unable to advocate for their own protection, a family member, a guardian, or the Public Guardian and Trustee may need to act on their behalf to pursue appropriate protective measures, potentially alongside a guardianship application addressing broader decision-making authority over the person's care and living situation. Because the right legal avenue depends heavily on the specific facts — including whether the conduct is criminal, and whether the elderly person is capable of instructing a lawyer — get legal advice promptly to identify the appropriate protective steps.