Over 5,000 Halton seniors at risk of abuse
By Hiba Kesebi, Special to the Champion
News
Aug 13, 2008
Carol Macdonald was psychologically abused by her husband. She was put down, humiliated and underestimated.
She contemplated suicide many times, but never knew that her husband's mind games were, indeed, a form of abuse until a woman from a women's shelter took her by the arms and broke the news to her.
"She told me that I'm facing the reality of what abuse is," said Macdonald.
"I should leave, and support is available. I didn't know that I was being abused. It's easier to live in denial."
Macdonald admits that it took her a long time to make her exit, yet she's thankful for finally making it.
"The person I am now is not the person I was 15 years ago," she said. "I was pathetic, sad, overwhelmed, confused."
Today, Macdonald's smile never leaves her face.
She's got humour and energy, ambitions and goals, independence and peace of mind.
That change was radiant during the recent launch of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention and Services (SAVIS) of Halton's new Seniors Supporting Seniors Peer Mentoring Project.
The initiative aims to reach out to 200 senior women in Halton by providing them with knowledge about how to recognize abuse and where to get support in the community.
Macdonald is the co-ordinator of the Seniors Supporting Seniors Peer Mentoring Project.
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse states that those who assist abused older adults believe that the rate of abuse is close to 10 per cent.
Therefore, with about 55,000 seniors living in Halton as of 2006, it's possible that as many as 5,500 seniors are, or are at risk of, being abused.
"Emotional abuse is an extremely insidious form of abuse that is harder to recognize and deal with because it is not recognized in the court system, it isn't a criminal offence but it makes a woman feel like she is nothing," said Macdonald.
According to Macdonald, most assaults on seniors are committed by the people they know and love best.
If you're a senior who would like to help other seniors, contact Macdonald at (905) 825-3622 or seniors@savisofhalton.org.
Abridged
SOURCE: Milton Canadian Champion
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August 14, 2008
Elder Abuse: The Trial Continues (Pa. USA)
Jury in elder abuse trial views photos
By RICK LEE
Daily Record/Sunday News
08/13/2008 02:19:54 PM EDT
The jury in the elder abuse trial of William and Frances Donohue spent the morning viewing graphic autopsy photos of Bernadette Leiben.
Black and white pictures projected onto the wall included closeups of Leiben's dirty fingernails and toenails, ulcerations that covered her back, and a plug of dirt, dead skin and hair pulled from her navel.
The Donohues are accused of neglecting Leiben, William Donohue's mother, over an extended period leading up to her death in May 2004.
Dr. Saralee Funke, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, told the jury Leiben, 87, died from sepsis, or bacteria in her blood stream, resulting from the massive bedsores and infections in her esophagus, kidneys and spleen.
She said none of the infections nor the ulcerated sores would have been fatal by themselves. She said the bedsores, some as deep as bone, were from being bedridden and neglected and that the organ infections could have been caused by bacteria from the sores.
Source: York Daily Record
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By RICK LEE
Daily Record/Sunday News
08/13/2008 02:19:54 PM EDT
The jury in the elder abuse trial of William and Frances Donohue spent the morning viewing graphic autopsy photos of Bernadette Leiben.
Black and white pictures projected onto the wall included closeups of Leiben's dirty fingernails and toenails, ulcerations that covered her back, and a plug of dirt, dead skin and hair pulled from her navel.
The Donohues are accused of neglecting Leiben, William Donohue's mother, over an extended period leading up to her death in May 2004.
Dr. Saralee Funke, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, told the jury Leiben, 87, died from sepsis, or bacteria in her blood stream, resulting from the massive bedsores and infections in her esophagus, kidneys and spleen.
She said none of the infections nor the ulcerated sores would have been fatal by themselves. She said the bedsores, some as deep as bone, were from being bedridden and neglected and that the organ infections could have been caused by bacteria from the sores.
Source: York Daily Record
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August 13, 2008
Elder Abuse and Neglect: Two on Trial for Murder (Pa. USA)
Attorney: Couple wouldn't have benefited from elderly woman's death
By RICK LEE
Daily Record/Sunday News
08/12/2008 06:57:22 PM EDT
Bernadette Leiben clearly needed medical attention in the days, weeks and possibly months before she died.
She did not get it from her son or daughter-in-law.
Both are on trial now in York County Common Pleas Court. William J. Donohue, 73, and Frances Ann Donohue, 62, are charged with first- and third-degree murder and conspiracy.
The commonwealth maintains the couple ignored the 87-year-old bedridden Leiben's medical needs, allowing her to die in a small second-floor bedroom of a home in Airville in May 2004. Money was the motive, according to the commonwealth.
But the defense maintains that Leiben, except for her Social Security benefits, was penniless. And her death, while possibly negligent, was unintentional.
Attorney Rick Robinson has offered that, morally right or wrong, William Donohue had no role in his mother's care. During today's opening remarks, Robinson said, "The evidence will show that Bill Donohue just was not involved in the caretaking of his mother."
When Leiben died May 20, 2004, Fairview Township Fire Department emergency medical technicians called her doctor in Maryland to see if he would sign the death certificate.
Having not seen Leiben in a year, the doctor refused and the York County Coroner's Office was contacted. Coroner Barry Bloss, when confronted with the numerous bedsores and maggot-infested wounds on Leiben's body, authorized an autopsy.
Dr. Sara Funke, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, is to testify Wednesday about her findings.
Abridged
SOURCE: York Daily Record
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By RICK LEE
Daily Record/Sunday News
08/12/2008 06:57:22 PM EDT
Bernadette Leiben clearly needed medical attention in the days, weeks and possibly months before she died.
She did not get it from her son or daughter-in-law.
Both are on trial now in York County Common Pleas Court. William J. Donohue, 73, and Frances Ann Donohue, 62, are charged with first- and third-degree murder and conspiracy.
The commonwealth maintains the couple ignored the 87-year-old bedridden Leiben's medical needs, allowing her to die in a small second-floor bedroom of a home in Airville in May 2004. Money was the motive, according to the commonwealth.
But the defense maintains that Leiben, except for her Social Security benefits, was penniless. And her death, while possibly negligent, was unintentional.
Attorney Rick Robinson has offered that, morally right or wrong, William Donohue had no role in his mother's care. During today's opening remarks, Robinson said, "The evidence will show that Bill Donohue just was not involved in the caretaking of his mother."
When Leiben died May 20, 2004, Fairview Township Fire Department emergency medical technicians called her doctor in Maryland to see if he would sign the death certificate.
Having not seen Leiben in a year, the doctor refused and the York County Coroner's Office was contacted. Coroner Barry Bloss, when confronted with the numerous bedsores and maggot-infested wounds on Leiben's body, authorized an autopsy.
Dr. Sara Funke, the pathologist who performed the autopsy, is to testify Wednesday about her findings.
Abridged
SOURCE: York Daily Record
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Elder Care: Carers Speak Out Over Standards (UK)
Carers speak out over standards
By Dot Kirby
BBC NI health correspondent
Tuesday, 12 August 2008 19:53 UK
Two care assistants have spoken to the BBC about what goes on behind closed doors in some old people's homes in Northern Ireland.
They work for an agency and have been sent to many different homes, but their experiences are very similar.
They claimed old people are left in soiled incontinence pads and infections are easily spread by poor hygiene and shortages of basic equipment.
Both said they have seen care workers and nurses asleep while on duty.
Because they would lose their jobs if their identities were revealed, the BBC is not naming them.
One, 'Ann', told of her experience.
"I have been on a night shift where the staff nurse has perhaps slept for five or six hours."
Both women said some staff they have worked with ignored the need to change used incontinence pads.
The other care worker, 'Joan' told of an experiment she conducted.
"I was in a nursing home and I was putting the man to bed and his pad was very, very wet and I thought that pad hasn't been changed in a long time, so, the pad I put on him in the morning , I put an X on it," she said.
"When I was putting him to bed the next night that pad was the same pad I'd put on in the morning."
The women said they would recommend half a dozen homes they have worked in. But said they were speaking out to try to improve care in the rest.
The body which inspects care homes said that it takes poor care very seriously.
They said in the last year they have carried out nearly 1,000 announced and unannounced inspections, which have resulted in 10 residential and nursing homes being told to improve their care.
Abridged
SOURCE: BBC News
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Dot Kirby
BBC NI health correspondent
Tuesday, 12 August 2008 19:53 UK
Two care assistants have spoken to the BBC about what goes on behind closed doors in some old people's homes in Northern Ireland.
They work for an agency and have been sent to many different homes, but their experiences are very similar.
They claimed old people are left in soiled incontinence pads and infections are easily spread by poor hygiene and shortages of basic equipment.
Both said they have seen care workers and nurses asleep while on duty.
Because they would lose their jobs if their identities were revealed, the BBC is not naming them.
One, 'Ann', told of her experience.
"I have been on a night shift where the staff nurse has perhaps slept for five or six hours."
Both women said some staff they have worked with ignored the need to change used incontinence pads.
The other care worker, 'Joan' told of an experiment she conducted.
"I was in a nursing home and I was putting the man to bed and his pad was very, very wet and I thought that pad hasn't been changed in a long time, so, the pad I put on him in the morning , I put an X on it," she said.
"When I was putting him to bed the next night that pad was the same pad I'd put on in the morning."
The women said they would recommend half a dozen homes they have worked in. But said they were speaking out to try to improve care in the rest.
The body which inspects care homes said that it takes poor care very seriously.
They said in the last year they have carried out nearly 1,000 announced and unannounced inspections, which have resulted in 10 residential and nursing homes being told to improve their care.
Abridged
SOURCE: BBC News
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August 11, 2008
Elder Abuse: Awareness and Intervention (IL. USA)
Our aging population is getting abused — sometimes by the ones they love
August 4, 2008 - 11:26AM
By JILL MOON
ALTON - Elder abuse - the dirty, little secret of domestic violence - often is a spectrum of abuse at its end and increasing with an aging population. Millions of baby boomers are aging in the United States, and perpetuating a growing need for services often administered by individuals other than family members. Thirty-one percent of senior citizens live alone in isolation and oftentimes with depression, which makes these individuals susceptible to abuse because of need for caring, interpersonal relationships.
"We see way more than relatives," said Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, at Senior Services Plus' elder abuse seminar held for the public, employees of Senior Services Plus homemaker program and Illinois caregivers. "Sometimes it's a home healthcare worker, a beautician, someone with power of attorney or a social worker. People who trust someone with whom they have a long relationship sometimes are preyed upon."
Crowder is chairperson for the Third Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council and president of the Illinois Judges Association Foundation. Seminar speakers talked about unintentional and direct harm. Elder abuse refers to any negligent act by a caregiver or any other person who causes harm or serious risks of harm to a vulnerable adult.
Violation of an order of protection can include fines and a maximum of one year in jail.
From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, there were 254 reports of elder abuse in Madison County, 233 reports of elder abuse in St. Clair County and 9,489 statewide reports.
Call (800) 252-8966 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation or during after hours, weekends and holidays, call (800) 279-0400 . Reports will be taken in complete confidence. Other agencies with helpful programs are Community Counseling Center at (618) 462-2331 and Oasis Women's Center at (618) 465-1978
Abridged
SOURCE: Alton Telegraph
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August 4, 2008 - 11:26AM
By JILL MOON
ALTON - Elder abuse - the dirty, little secret of domestic violence - often is a spectrum of abuse at its end and increasing with an aging population. Millions of baby boomers are aging in the United States, and perpetuating a growing need for services often administered by individuals other than family members. Thirty-one percent of senior citizens live alone in isolation and oftentimes with depression, which makes these individuals susceptible to abuse because of need for caring, interpersonal relationships.
"We see way more than relatives," said Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, at Senior Services Plus' elder abuse seminar held for the public, employees of Senior Services Plus homemaker program and Illinois caregivers. "Sometimes it's a home healthcare worker, a beautician, someone with power of attorney or a social worker. People who trust someone with whom they have a long relationship sometimes are preyed upon."
Crowder is chairperson for the Third Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council and president of the Illinois Judges Association Foundation. Seminar speakers talked about unintentional and direct harm. Elder abuse refers to any negligent act by a caregiver or any other person who causes harm or serious risks of harm to a vulnerable adult.
Violation of an order of protection can include fines and a maximum of one year in jail.
From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, there were 254 reports of elder abuse in Madison County, 233 reports of elder abuse in St. Clair County and 9,489 statewide reports.
Call (800) 252-8966 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation or during after hours, weekends and holidays, call (800) 279-0400 . Reports will be taken in complete confidence. Other agencies with helpful programs are Community Counseling Center at (618) 462-2331 and Oasis Women's Center at (618) 465-1978
Abridged
SOURCE: Alton Telegraph
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Elder Abuse: Few Doctors Report Abuse (USA)
Few doctors report abuse of elderly patients
Sunday, August 10, 2008
By Tracy Breton
Journal Staff Writer
Doctors in almost every state are required by law to report suspected elder abuse of their patients. But hardly any of them do, even if they fear that their silence may subject an elderly person to continued abuse at the hands of a caregiver.
Physicians report just 2 percent of the elder abuse and neglect cases recorded each year by state protective service agencies, according to medical and legal experts and recent articles published in medical journals. One study, published in 2005 in a journal focusing on geriatric medicine, says that the actual figure may be even lower.
The lack of physician reporting is a huge problem, experts say, because as the elderly population continues to grow and doctors become ever more pressed for time in meeting the demands for care, more elder abuse will go undetected.
Doctors are often the only people outside an elderly victim’s home who have contact with the victim. If they don’t blow the whistle, who will?
THERE ARE a myriad of reasons why doctors don’t report elder abuse, say experts who have studied the issue.
“Sometimes physicians don’t know what they’re looking at because, historically, there has not been education on elder abuse provided in medical training,” says Candace Heisler, a lawyer who spent 25 years prosecuting domestic violence cases in San Francisco and now works as an elder abuse consultant. “There are relatively few medical schools that have any specialized geriatrics training and there are relatively few geriatricians.”
Says Kohn: “Elder abuse is often hidden. You don’t necessarily see the bruises or the broken ribs. Most elder abuse clients don’t have a bruise to show for it.” Those who do, he says, often won’t go to their doctor until after their wounds have healed.
Abridged
SOURCE: Providence Journal
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Sunday, August 10, 2008
By Tracy Breton
Journal Staff Writer
Doctors in almost every state are required by law to report suspected elder abuse of their patients. But hardly any of them do, even if they fear that their silence may subject an elderly person to continued abuse at the hands of a caregiver.
Physicians report just 2 percent of the elder abuse and neglect cases recorded each year by state protective service agencies, according to medical and legal experts and recent articles published in medical journals. One study, published in 2005 in a journal focusing on geriatric medicine, says that the actual figure may be even lower.
The lack of physician reporting is a huge problem, experts say, because as the elderly population continues to grow and doctors become ever more pressed for time in meeting the demands for care, more elder abuse will go undetected.
Doctors are often the only people outside an elderly victim’s home who have contact with the victim. If they don’t blow the whistle, who will?
THERE ARE a myriad of reasons why doctors don’t report elder abuse, say experts who have studied the issue.
“Sometimes physicians don’t know what they’re looking at because, historically, there has not been education on elder abuse provided in medical training,” says Candace Heisler, a lawyer who spent 25 years prosecuting domestic violence cases in San Francisco and now works as an elder abuse consultant. “There are relatively few medical schools that have any specialized geriatrics training and there are relatively few geriatricians.”
Says Kohn: “Elder abuse is often hidden. You don’t necessarily see the bruises or the broken ribs. Most elder abuse clients don’t have a bruise to show for it.” Those who do, he says, often won’t go to their doctor until after their wounds have healed.
Abridged
SOURCE: Providence Journal
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Elder Abuse: Awareness, Detection and Intervention (Malaysia)
Throw momma from the train
AGE WELL
By DR ESTHER G. EBENEZER
Sunday August 10, 2008
Abuse comes in many forms, and one of the most unrecognised is elder abuse.
ELDER abuse exists in our society, but it is hardly ever reported. This can cause serious adverse effects on the health and quality of life of the elderly.
The problem often remains undetected because of poor public awareness and lack of knowledge among healthcare personnel. We need to be aware of the many faces of elder abuse in our own society - perhaps in the broader context of domestic violence.
.....although elderly abuse does exist in our society, it remains a subtle and usually untold suffering among older persons. This could be due to lack of awareness in the existence of this phenomenon in our culture. In general the subject of elderly abuse is the least investigated and is given little importance.
This article aims to highlight ways to identify elder abuse and to improve its awareness among Malaysians of all walks of life. It addresses the definition, characteristics of the abused elderly and their abusers as well strategies to detect and manage the problem.
Detection of elder abuse
Any suspected victim of elder abuse should be interviewed alone to avoid intimidation by the presence of the alleged abuser.
Disease-specific support groups like the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) or Alzheimer’s Care Centre (ACC), Stroke Centre can be a useful outlet for caregivers caring for their disabled elderly. Such services should be expanded throughout the country to endow caregivers with health education and coping strategies.
Until today, we do not have any mandatory reporting laws that require practitioners to report suspected elder abuse to an agency. Leaders in healthcare could make a move to educate the healthcare providers and the public on elder care.
Last but not least, establishing a legislative “Elder Protective Act” is warranted to protect our vulnerable elderly from untold suffering. They have the right to live with dignity and security. We are committed to develop such services and formulate policies against elder abuse in Malaysia.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Star Malaysia
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
AGE WELL
By DR ESTHER G. EBENEZER
Sunday August 10, 2008
Abuse comes in many forms, and one of the most unrecognised is elder abuse.
ELDER abuse exists in our society, but it is hardly ever reported. This can cause serious adverse effects on the health and quality of life of the elderly.
The problem often remains undetected because of poor public awareness and lack of knowledge among healthcare personnel. We need to be aware of the many faces of elder abuse in our own society - perhaps in the broader context of domestic violence.
.....although elderly abuse does exist in our society, it remains a subtle and usually untold suffering among older persons. This could be due to lack of awareness in the existence of this phenomenon in our culture. In general the subject of elderly abuse is the least investigated and is given little importance.
This article aims to highlight ways to identify elder abuse and to improve its awareness among Malaysians of all walks of life. It addresses the definition, characteristics of the abused elderly and their abusers as well strategies to detect and manage the problem.
Detection of elder abuse
Any suspected victim of elder abuse should be interviewed alone to avoid intimidation by the presence of the alleged abuser.
Disease-specific support groups like the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) or Alzheimer’s Care Centre (ACC), Stroke Centre can be a useful outlet for caregivers caring for their disabled elderly. Such services should be expanded throughout the country to endow caregivers with health education and coping strategies.
Until today, we do not have any mandatory reporting laws that require practitioners to report suspected elder abuse to an agency. Leaders in healthcare could make a move to educate the healthcare providers and the public on elder care.
Last but not least, establishing a legislative “Elder Protective Act” is warranted to protect our vulnerable elderly from untold suffering. They have the right to live with dignity and security. We are committed to develop such services and formulate policies against elder abuse in Malaysia.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Star Malaysia
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
August 10, 2008
Elder Abuse: Inheritance in America - Rights vs. Slights
Lou Ann Anderson latest article on her site: Estate of Denial, titled 'Inheritance in America: Rights vs. Slights ' once again focus another shaft of light on the issue of guardianship/conservatorship abuse and the rights of vulnerable seniors.
I applaud her continuing efforts to speak out for thousands who could not protect themselves from this menace of this "legal" elder abuse.
The article is a "must read" for those who are interested in the issue of Elder Abuse awareness and prevention and Elder Rights. Seniors must keep themselves informed of this issue, if they did not want to fall into the same "trap" as those mentioned in the article.
Lou Ann Anderson is producer of The Lynn Woolley Show, a Texas-based talk radio program. She also is an advocate working to create awareness regarding the Texas probate system and its surrounding culture. Lou Ann may be contacted at info@estateofdenial.com.
Thanks again Lou Ann. You are the champion of the "voiceless".
Andrew C
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
I applaud her continuing efforts to speak out for thousands who could not protect themselves from this menace of this "legal" elder abuse.
The article is a "must read" for those who are interested in the issue of Elder Abuse awareness and prevention and Elder Rights. Seniors must keep themselves informed of this issue, if they did not want to fall into the same "trap" as those mentioned in the article.
Lou Ann Anderson is producer of The Lynn Woolley Show, a Texas-based talk radio program. She also is an advocate working to create awareness regarding the Texas probate system and its surrounding culture. Lou Ann may be contacted at info@estateofdenial.com.
Thanks again Lou Ann. You are the champion of the "voiceless".
Andrew C
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
August 9, 2008
Poor Elder Care a Significant Problem (New Zealand)
Poor elder care 'big problem'
The Press Saturday, 09 August 2008
Poor residential care of the elderly is a significant problem, says a report presented to the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) yesterday.
The report, prepared by chief medical officer Nigel Millar, also said staff in the sector had long been frustrated by poor funding levels.
The report stated it was an overall picture of risks arising in aged care, and did not "relate specifically to any recent events in Christchurch".
Millar's report cited abuse and neglect of the elderly by family and professionals as a risk, as well as the poor care they may receive.
The report said "less than optimal care" may be a result of registered nurses supervising a large number of elderly, and unregistered carers.
Other difficulties relating to the workforce included relying on "low-paid carers with a high turnover" and threats to education programmes presented by budget pressures.
Millar said he did not want the report to appear "gloomy".
"On the whole, the quality of care is excellent ... The risks I have outlined here are around how do we manage and pick up when quality does fail or when there's abuse of older people," he said.
Although audits are carried out on certified homes every three years, and can be done by the home's funder when they feel necessary, the public cannot obtain a full copy of these audits.
Board member Jo Kane said elderly-care workers were "some of the lowest paid workers in the whole sector, but when we look at what they do, it is really important".
Meanwhile, the CDHB yesterday released an update on its work with Christchurch rest home Villa Gardens.
Last month, concerns were voiced about the level of care at the rest home.
Villa Gardens management had agreed to address issues that had been identified. This included CDHB continuing to work with Villa Gardens management and clinical staff on a daily basis.
SOURCE: StuffDotCo NZ
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
The Press Saturday, 09 August 2008
Poor residential care of the elderly is a significant problem, says a report presented to the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) yesterday.
The report, prepared by chief medical officer Nigel Millar, also said staff in the sector had long been frustrated by poor funding levels.
The report stated it was an overall picture of risks arising in aged care, and did not "relate specifically to any recent events in Christchurch".
Millar's report cited abuse and neglect of the elderly by family and professionals as a risk, as well as the poor care they may receive.
The report said "less than optimal care" may be a result of registered nurses supervising a large number of elderly, and unregistered carers.
Other difficulties relating to the workforce included relying on "low-paid carers with a high turnover" and threats to education programmes presented by budget pressures.
Millar said he did not want the report to appear "gloomy".
"On the whole, the quality of care is excellent ... The risks I have outlined here are around how do we manage and pick up when quality does fail or when there's abuse of older people," he said.
Although audits are carried out on certified homes every three years, and can be done by the home's funder when they feel necessary, the public cannot obtain a full copy of these audits.
Board member Jo Kane said elderly-care workers were "some of the lowest paid workers in the whole sector, but when we look at what they do, it is really important".
Meanwhile, the CDHB yesterday released an update on its work with Christchurch rest home Villa Gardens.
Last month, concerns were voiced about the level of care at the rest home.
Villa Gardens management had agreed to address issues that had been identified. This included CDHB continuing to work with Villa Gardens management and clinical staff on a daily basis.
SOURCE: StuffDotCo NZ
-----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse: Safe Haven for Victims (Edmonton Canada)
Safe haven for abused elderly
By Julia Textor
News Staff
Friday August 08, 2008
Abuse can happen to people of all ages, genders and even to animals. But a survey done by Statistics Canada in the late 90s found that seven per cent of all older people experienced elder abuse.
Elder abuse is defined as any action or lack of action that is harmful to the health or well being of an older adult. This can include physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse as well as neglect and the misuse of an older person’s medication and prescriptions.
Potential abusers can often be close family members such as adult children, grandchildren, a spouse and extended family.
Shame, embarrassment and fear instilled in victims of elder abuse may keep them from breaking free of their situation.
But there is help out there.
The Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton’s (SAGE) Safe House is a living facility for seniors who are being abused to escape to.
“They can stay with us for 60 days and we provide them with all of their needs from food to helping them in whatever area they need,” said Bernice Sewell, director of operations at SAGE.
The SAGE Safe House is the only one of its kind in Canada, providing seven individual apartment style units to allow privacy and comfort to its occupants.
Not only are the physical needs of the individuals met, but registered social workers also give support and offer solutions to each person in each unique situation.
Abridged
SOURCE: Sherwood Park News
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Julia Textor
News Staff
Friday August 08, 2008
Abuse can happen to people of all ages, genders and even to animals. But a survey done by Statistics Canada in the late 90s found that seven per cent of all older people experienced elder abuse.
Elder abuse is defined as any action or lack of action that is harmful to the health or well being of an older adult. This can include physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse as well as neglect and the misuse of an older person’s medication and prescriptions.
Potential abusers can often be close family members such as adult children, grandchildren, a spouse and extended family.
Shame, embarrassment and fear instilled in victims of elder abuse may keep them from breaking free of their situation.
But there is help out there.
The Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton’s (SAGE) Safe House is a living facility for seniors who are being abused to escape to.
“They can stay with us for 60 days and we provide them with all of their needs from food to helping them in whatever area they need,” said Bernice Sewell, director of operations at SAGE.
The SAGE Safe House is the only one of its kind in Canada, providing seven individual apartment style units to allow privacy and comfort to its occupants.
Not only are the physical needs of the individuals met, but registered social workers also give support and offer solutions to each person in each unique situation.
Abridged
SOURCE: Sherwood Park News
--------------------------------------------------------
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