Elder Abuse
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ABUSE OF OLDER ADULTS
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE? PERSONAL STORY
Elder abuse is doing things that harm the health and well-being of an older person. It can happen to both men and women. It happens in all cultures. The abusers are usually family members. For more detailed information, go to http://www.albertaelderabuse.ca/.
TYPES OF ABUSE
Here are some examples of abuse. Remember, abusers are usually members of your family...but not always.
Physical - Someone hurts you or causes you pain. This could be shaking, hitting, slapping, kicking, holding you in a painful way or locking you up.
Emotional - Someone treats you in a mean way. They repeatedly make you feel bad or afraid. They might threaten you or swear at you. Maybe they do not let you see your grandchildren or practice your religion. Maybe they force you to do things you do not want to do.
Financial - Someone takes your money or property without your permission. This could be someone who uses your bank card or someone who keeps all your pensions for themselves.
Neglect - The people who are supposed to look after you, forget about you. They don't give you food or a safe place to live or clothes to keep warm.
Sexual - Someone says sexual things to you or touches you in private places that you don't like. Someone forces you to do sexual acts.
Medication - Someone gives you medicine that makes you confused or hurts you. Or, someone won't give you the medicine when you need it.
WAYS TO PREVENT ABUSE
• Do not be afraid to ask for help. Help is available in many languages.
• Do not give someone your cheques. Put them in your bank account yourself. Better yet ask the government to put your cheques directly into the bank
• Be cautious of having joint accounts with family members.
• Do not give other people your bank card or PIN number.
• Do not give up control of your money or belongings until you feel that you are unable to manage them. You can give someone the legal right to look after your money (Power of Attorney). Choose that person carefully.
• Never pay someone to fill in a government form for seniors. Agencies do this for free.
• Do not leave money, jewellery, or things you value lying around.
• Look for contacts outside your family and develop friends of all ages.
• Stay active in the community for as long as possible.
• If your family can't help you, find someone in your community who you trust.
• Make a will and review it annually. Do not change your will without speaking to a lawyer or someone you trust.
• If someone offers you a great deal on something, be careful. If it sounds too good to be true, maybe it is! There are all kinds of scams. Do not sign anything unless you understand what it says.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Help is available 24 hours a day, every day. If you are being abused or know of someone who is, please call:
Emergency - Phone 911 (Help available in many languages)
Non-Emergency
• Community Information, Phone 211 (Help available in many languages)
• Kerby Elder Abuse Line - (403) 705-3250 (English only)
• Seniors' Help Line (SeniorConnect) - (403) 264-7700 (English only)
• Seniors' Liaison Office, Calgary Police Service (NOT 24 hrs/day) (403) 206-8311
