Elder abuse comes in many forms

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was recognized June 15, pointing to abuse issues that affect many seniors in Alberta.
“Elder abuse is a serious issue that impacts many Albertans and we all have to do more,” said Alberta Liberal leader Dr. David Swann in a press release. “We must all collaborate to raise awareness of elder abuse and develop strategies to prevent it.”
Statistics Canada surveys completed in 2013 place Alberta among the Top 3 provinces in violence against seniors ratings, compared to other provinces in Canada. Senior abuse is also higher in rural areas.
Across Alberta each year, approximately 23,000 elders experience situations of abuse, often involving friends or family. Elders can have increased risk of abuse due to isolation, loneliness and health problems that can make them a target for predators.
Abuse awareness professionals suggest elders make safety plans to avoid and stay safe against abuse situations. Things like having a secure room for protection, preprogrammed telephone numbers of a support person, having a phone with preprogrammed emergency numbers, and keeping legal documents, personal ID cards, passwords and pin numbers in a secure place can be part of the safety plan.
Those in imminent danger from abuse can call 911, or calls can be made to the Alberta Government Protection for Persons in Care hotline at 1-888-357-9339, or support reached thorough the Calgary Kerby Centre Elder Abuse Resource Line at 403-705-3250. Another option is telling a close trusted friend, clergy or professional such as a doctor to initiate action against the abuse.
Strathmore Regional Victim Services Society staff and volunteers help seniors through any court proceedings resulting from reporting the abuse.
Statistics Canada said there is often less physical damage done to elders compared to younger abuse victims. However, emotional abuse and financial abuse are often harder to track.
The Centre for Public Legal Education in Alberta defines emotional abuse as being threatened or threats made against family or pets, being belittled or demeaned, forced isolation or socialization, neglect, taking decision-making away and being treated like a child.
Provincial police guidelines indicate that a financial abuser is anyone coercing an older adult into signing a legal document, accessing cheques without authorization, stealing or misusing an older adult’s money or possessions, forging signatures, using their money for personal gain or denying access to their money.
Those suspicious phone calls from bogus Canada Revenue Agency agents or robots, and the “long lost grand-nephew” needing emergency funds are part of scams that take advantage of seniors for financial abuse. The door-to-door sales and purchase situations are also potentially suspicious and are best avoided. The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) states over a third of senior Albertans have been approached by fraudulent investment plans.
“The ASC is working hard to raise awareness with Alberta seniors and their caregivers throughout the month of June, empowering them with tools to help identify and avoid financial abuse and investment fraud,” said Susan Soprovich, senior advisor, investor education with ASC. She suggests seniors educate themselves and check out the checkfirst.ca website for information to combat fraud and financial abuse.
Financial abuse can start with good intentions of helping a family member; however, it can develop into a difficult situation for the senior to say no to financial asks. Elders need to evaluate if they have enough money to lend, get clarification on what the money is being used for, evaluate what sacrifices the one asking for money has made to help themselves, and set terms for use of the money and expectations on repayment of loans. Consequences or contracts signed for failure of follow-through can sometimes encourage borrowers to refuse the funds, or work together in the arrangement.
Police state that elder abuse is under-reported. Some reasons are the senior doesn’t want to accuse a loved one, is afraid of more abuse, doesn’t like the stigma that might be attached to being the abused, doesn’t want to lose their financial support, fear of loss of relationship status with a family member or friend, afraid they will lose their independence and be labelled incompetent, and doesn’t want to see loved ones prosecuted.
Individual counselling may help elders find personal solutions and coping tips to de-escalate and deal with abuse. Some experts say confronting the abuser in safe surroundings about their behaviour and refusing their demands can be a wake-up call to the abuse behaviour and lead to help.
If both parties agree, family counselling can be done to provide direction.
Strathmore Addiction and Mental Health Services does not offer family counselling, but some private psychologists do. To find a psychologist specializing in seniors and family issues, visit psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/site/doctor_search_form, or contact Calgary Counselling Centre at 403-691-5991 for a referral and family workshops.