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June 11, 2009

Group's Elder Abuse Efforts Paying Off (ON. CANADA)

Group's elder abuse efforts paying off

Date: 2009-06-10

By Mary Riley

There is no longer any reason to hesitate about coming forward if you suspect an elderly person is being abused.

And, there's even less reason to hesitate if you are a senior and are suffering abuse yourself.

Karen Anderson, co-ordinator of the Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes Elder Abuse Prevention Network, said there have been agencies helping with elder abuse issues for about 20 years.

"There was always a place to go [for help]," she said. "But, it had different names and agencies involved, although Community Care has always been the lead agency."

Ms Anderson said provincial government funding in 2006 enabled the Network to "solidify", bringing the member agencies together under one umbrella.

The funding, through the Ontario Seniors Secretariat, allowed the network to hire Ms Anderson. Currently, the Network includes three police agencies, victim services, hospital and EMS and justice partners, to name a few.

"Hiring me as co-ordinator meant people can put a face with the organization," Ms Anderson said. "It was a turning point; it meant we'd be able to implement our goals and dreams of education and prevention (of elder abuse)."

Ms Anderson said she "wears two hats", the first part of her job being education and prevention, and the second being responding to reported elder abuse. In the 14 months since she was hired, she said she had done more than 50 presentations throughout Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes. She does those presentations in such places as shopping malls, service club meetings and long-term care homes.

Ms Anderson said when she takes calls from people reporting elder abuse, she is able to "give the information and support they need to take the next step."

"It could be calling the police, or a shelter. I listen to the story and show them the next step from there."

Noting provincial statistics show that only one in 12 cases of elder abuse is reported, Ms Anderson said she's taken 54 such calls in 14 months.

"If only one in 12 are reported, how many more [cases] are out there? It's sad to know it's happening in our community, but it's better to have someone report it than sitting around saying 'There's nothing I can do.'"

Ms Anderson said there have been several occasions where she's been approached by people after giving a presentation, people who want to speak to her privately. But, they are coming forward, she noted, so "the presentations are doing some good."

The Network is currently working on a travelling photo exhibit, 'Through My Eyes', and everyone is welcome to submit images of seniors living everyday life. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Aug. 31.

For more information, contact Ms Anderson at 324-7323, ext. 234.

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