Mental Health Matters: Plenty of help available for victims of elder abuse in Southeast Alberta
By Medicine Hat News on October 27, 2018.
Oct. 1 is recognized in Canada each year as National Seniors Day and by the United Nations as International Day of Older Persons. Why? To recognize the significant contributions older persons have made in our communities, country and worldwide and to recognize issues older persons are experiencing. One of these issues is elder abuse. In Medicine Hat we have a group of committed organizations and individuals working together to end elder abuse in the communities of Redcliff, Dunmore, Irvine, Walsh, Oyen, Bow Island and Medicine Hat. This group is called the Coordinated Community Response committee and has been meeting monthly since March 2018 to address this issue. What is elder abuse? It is any action or inaction by a person(s) in a trusting relationship that jeopardizes the health or well being of an older adult, causing harm or distress. There are several types of elder abuse, including financial, emotional, physical, sexual and neglect. Any senior can become a victim of elder abuse regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, education or income. The two most reported forms of abuse in Canada are financial and emotional. This abuse is most often committed by a family member; a spouse, child or adult grandchild — someone the older person trusts and who is in a position of power or authority within the relationship with the older person. Elder abuse is a form of family violence. The dynamics of elder abuse are complex and often complicated by the mental and physical conditions of both the older person being abused and the abuser. What would you look for to identify someone you know is being abused? Common signs of elder abuse include confusion, unexplained injuries, depression, anxiety, changes noted in hygiene, fear or worry when talking about money or seeming to be fearful or “clam up” when around certain people. Are you being abused? Do not blame yourself. It is not your fault. No one deserves to be abused. Who can you call? If you are in danger call 911. In Medicine Hat and area call the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society 403-529-1097 or toll free 1-800-661-7949. Alberta has a Family Violence Information Line 310-1818 to offer information, advice and referrals in more than 170 languages. All of these numbers will answer your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Office of the Seniors Advocate is available Monday to Friday toll free 1-844-644-0682 to access resolutions to support both older Albertans and their families. Another important provincial group is the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council, a leader in elder abuse awareness and education. The Medicine Hat Coordinated Community Response committee is a member of this organization and together will continue to address elder abuse issues. Colleen Lewis is elder abuse community collaborator with the Canadian Mental Health Association and chair of the Coordinated Community Response committee. 9-8
