Elder Abuse Targeted (Canada)

By Laura Cudworth, Staff Reporter

January 1, 2010

"Maggie," an elderly Perth County woman suffering from dementia, was forced to swallow sedatives she didn't want and was tied to a chair while her daughter went to her full-time job.

She has since been moved to a retirement home and her daughter is facing charges.

Maggie's story isn't unusual. It's estimated between four and 10 per cent of Ontario seniors experience some type of abuse, but in Perth County, which has the highest per capita ratio of seniors in the province, those numbers take on added significance.

To address the issue, a new report called "Breaking the Silence: A Report on Elder Abuse in Perth County" suggests education campaigns are key.

"It's one of those things where nobody wants to think elders in our society are victims of abuse," said Cheryl Legate, executive director of Victim Services of Perth County and a member of the elder abuse committee.

The report, compiled and written by Snap Marketing & Communications and commissioned by the Perth County Social Research and Planning Council, makes three recommendations:

* a comprehensive education campaign be launched in partnership with local service providers

* consideration be given to starting an elder abuse response team

* holding a progress meeting in the spring to discuss a course of action.

There are communities that already have elder abuse response teams. The team would be made up of professionals like police, service providers and hospital and retirement home staff who may see elder abuse.

"Certainly we would love to see that model, but it may be a while before we see it here. If we can get there that would be a great day," Ms. Legate said.

Seniors shouldn't feel ashamed and should talk to someone they trust like a family doctor, their banker, lawyer or police, he stressed.

Also, some seniors won't report abuse because they don't want to get their caregiver in trouble, Ms. Legate said.

It's not just seniors and the general public that need to be educated. Caregivers sometimes don't provide adequate care but there's no malice intended, the report says. Caregivers too are encouraged to reach out for support when they become overwhelmed.

Debbie Deichert, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Perth County, noted in the report the organization's caregiver support groups are growing all the time and said it's a good sign.

Abridged

SOURCE:    The Stratford Beacon Herald

_______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources