Vulnerable elders can be victims of abuse
Seminar on June 16 to help educate and inform
By Paul J. Henderson, The Times
June 09, 2009
Most of us know not to give personal banking information to anyone who calls us, but more people than would like to admit have been the victim of frauds and scams.
For that reason it's easy enough to imagine that those with mental health issues such as dementia can and are targeted.
Senior citizens in Chiliwack who are vulnerable to both frauds, cons, scams and other kinds of abuse--and those that care for them--are invited to a seminar next week entitled Keeping Seniors and Vulnerable Adults Safe
"The most critical situations come because of a dementia of some sort," said Rob McKinnon, a social worker in Chilliwack who works with the geriatric outreach team at Fraser Health. "Scam artists will call some of the assisted living buildings in town and get a hold of somebody and then just con them out of their bank information."
There are many ways that vulnerable adults can get scammed, both legally and illegally, by those who would take advantage. From outright fraudulent activity to manipulation at autobody shops regarding what needs done to a car, to getting hooked on the "free" gifts from magazines, the list goes on.
The June 16 seminar is at Chilliwack city hall and will be attended by RCMP Const. Len VanNiewenhuizen who will address scams to avoid and Jeremy Sibley, manager of BMO in Sardis who will look at how the bank can help to protect your money.
"Elderly women living alone are really quite vulnerable," McKinnon said. "A lot of the scams are contractors and automotive things that the husband would have dealt with and she is unfamiliar."
McKinnon estimates about 30 per cent of his work is taken up either educating seniors or trying to resolve abuse issues.
The seminar is part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and is presented by Chilliwack Community Response Network and is sponsored by Sto:lo Nation Health and the Chilliwack Community Police Office.
The seminar is June 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free. A light lunch will be provided. There is no need to RSVP but is appreciated. For more information or if in need of transportation to the event call the Community Policing Office 604-393-3000.
© Chilliwack Times 2009
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