SUSPECT ELDER ABUSE?
HERE ARE SOME TIPS AND ADVICE ON WHERE TO TURN
By ELIZABETH HUNDEVAD
SOCIAL WORKER, GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY OUTREACH TEAM, PROVIDENCE CARE, AND CHAIR OF THE ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION NETWORK, COUNCIL ON AGING
Are you feeling uneasy because your son won't take you to your bank, return your bankcard, or show you your bank statements, claiming that you just don't need to worry yourself about such things?
Are you feeling pressured to give your daughter money you can ill afford because every time she visits you she tells you all about her financial woes and implies that she may be living on the street if you don't help her?
Do you worry yourself sick and have sleepless nights because your husband or adult child doesn't talk to you for days or weeks on end?
Are you still waiting to hear back from the roofing company to whom you made a large deposit over a month ago?
Does your caregiver rush you, speak harshly, and act impatient and exasperated with you? Are you being isolated from your family and friends or confined to your bedroom?
All these are forms of abuse. If you feel you are being abused, then you probably are. Elder abuse is a dirty word but it needs to be said out loud. Elder abuse is a crime.
Elder abuse comes in many forms. It may be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or the result of neglect. The most prevalent form of abuse towards seniors is financial. It is estimated that six to ten percent of the elderly (roughly 110,000 Canadian seniors) are abused in some manner and statistics show that most incidents of abuse are committed by family and friends.
Most seniors don't want to report abuse for three main reasons:
Firstly, they feel too shamed and humiliated to come forward.
Secondly, the thought of having to cope with an investigation alone is scary and overwhelming, especially if a family member is the abuser.
Thirdly, many seniors don't know where to turn for help.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING MISTREATED, THEN YOU PROBABLY ARE
In April of this year, a province wide crisis phone line for seniors started operation. Seniors may now call the free and confidential Senior's Safety Line at 1-866-299-1011 any time of the day or night, seven days a week. A trained crisis worker will provide you with immediate assistance as well as information about ser- vices in your community that can help. This service is available in 150 languages.
Help is also available from the Frontenac- Kingston Council on Aging at 613-542-1336. When you call this number, you will speak confidentially with a peer support worker who has received training through the Elder Abuse Prevention Services operated by the local Council on Aging. A peer support worker will provide emotional support, a list of local resources, and suggest various courses of action that you might take, depending on the nature of the abuse.
The Council on Aging also offers education workshops for seniors about financial abuse and fraud, as well as other forms of abuse. They will also be holding an open house and educational events to recognize International Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15. Watch The Whig-Standard for announcements or call the COA office at 613-542-1336.
The Sexual Assault Crisis Centre may be contacted at 613-544-6424or1- 877-544-6424 if you have been sexually assaulted. They provide counselling services to men and women and a worker will accompany you to the hospital or the police if you wish their support.
If you have been physically or sexually assaulted within the last 72 hours, help is available at the Kingston General Hospital Sexual Assault-Domestic Violence Program, phone 613-548- 3232.Nurses who are specially trained to deal with victims of sexual assault are available at all times.
Women who need a place of safety to go to can call Kingston Interval House at 613-546-1777 or 1-800-267-9445.
As always, if you fear imminent risk for your personal safety or your property, call thepolice at 911.
Non-emergency concerns of theft and fraud or previous incidents of physical and/or sexual abuse should be reported to your local police department at the non-emergency number. The police force has members who are specially trained to assist seniors who have been, or wonder if they are being, abused.
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