Elder abuse increasing
By GWEN RUTLAND
July 2008
Elder abuse is a growing social concern, but it's not new. Too many older Canadians have suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of family members and caregivers for too many years. What is new is that we have a growing awareness and concern about elder abuse, putting a new face to this type of family violence.
Victims of elder abuse know and trust their abuser. Most victims of elder abuse depend on the people who hurt them, sometimes for food, shelter, personal care or companionship. Too often the abuse and neglect of older adults is not readily identified by service providers and community members.
Many older adults may believe that abuse by a relative is a "family problem" and are ashamed to disclose that a family member is abusive. No one is immune from elder abuse. The majority of abused older adults are in their 60's and 70's. Women are typically more vulnerable to abuse and experience more forms of abuse.
Today the number one crime against seniors is fraud. Fraud may include mail fraud, consumer fraud, insurance fraud, home improvement offers and door-to-door sales.
Never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have made the contact first. If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in advance or asks for your credit card number or Social Security number, tell the person you don't give out personal information over the telephone. Remember, if you are uncomfortable about the call in any way, simply hang up. If they continue to call or harass you, tell a trusted family member to call, or call 911 yourself and report it.
The local contact number for information and support regarding elder abuse is 1-800-363-7222 .
For information about abuse, please call Women's Shelter & Support Services (Bernadette McCann House for Women Inc.) 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-267-4930 ,or 613-732-3131 . Please visit our website at http://www.wsssbmh.org.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Daily Observer CA
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