Working to Put An End to Elder Abuse

Working to put an end to elder abuse

By Adrian Alleyne

30 October, 2010

No matter how you look at it, abuse is wrong. Whether it be psychological, verbal, or physical, and some people are trying to put an end to a certain kind.

Everyone hears about child abuse, and spousal abuse, but rarely is elder abuse discussed. On Friday, the North Eastman Senior Abuse Guide was launched at the Beau-Head Seniors Centre in Beausejour.

In Feb. 2009, the following organizations came together to develop the resource guide; North Eastman Regional Health Authority (NEHA), Springfield Services to Seniors, Alzheimer Society-North Eastman Office, Community members, Spiritual Care Representatives, RBC Beausejour Branch, Two Rivers -Lac du Bonnet/Pinawa Services to Seniors, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, RCMP, Nova House, Seniors & Healthy Aging Secretariat and the Manitoba Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Older Adults.

The goal of the guide is to provide education and awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults.

"We all have the opportunity to increase awareness, and to collect information, and better empower ourselves to know about the resources that are available," said Janelle Curtis, consultant from Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors.

Cases of elder abuse have, and are taking place right here in the North Eastman region.

"Unfortunately, I have about two abuse cases that come across my desk every year ... So if you're thinking that this is not happening in your community, in North Eastman, in small towns, it is happening," said Grace Honke, manager of Seniors Support Programs.

"I think that what was missing before this guide, is that it's happening, but nobody is recognizing it ... In North Eastman there is everything from financial abuses, to family members raping their mothers and fathers, and they live with it."

According to numbers presented at the launch, four to 10 per cent of older adults (50+), experience one or more forms of abuse or neglect. And only one in five cases are brought to the attention of someone who can help.

The definition of elder abuse was modified by the World Health Organization, and is defined as, any action or inaction by a person in a relationship of trust, which jeopardizes the health or well-being of an older person, explained Curtis.

So the majority of abuse is happening by someone who is close to the victim.

According to Curtis, the most common types of elder abuse happening in Manitoba are financial abuse, and emotional abuse.

The guide contains such things as rights of the individual, risk factors, intervention, financial abuse, and additional resources, to name a few. Which will help people recognize the signs and the necessary steps to take in order to help.
Of course for any type of help to occur, the victim must say that they want the help. The committee is hoping that more people will recognize the signs, and lend a hand of support.
"Let's hold hands together, let's work together, to eliminate senior abuse, and if we can't eliminate, let's reduce it. If we can't reduce it somewhat, let's lend a hand to help people out there, using this type of information," added Honke.


Anyone interested in getting additional information on the resource guide can go to the upcoming North Eastman training locations. They will be held on Nov. 18 at Pine Falls Health Centre MPR from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at Lac du Bonnet Pioneer Club from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be an opportunity on Nov. 19 at Whitemouth Community Club from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at the Springfield Community Library from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.





SOURCE:    The Beausejour Review

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