Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2009

Chances are you know somebody like Norma Stenson.

Eighty-seven years old, a victim of multiple strokes, and living in a retirement home, Mrs. Stenson has to rely on the support of caregivers to help her through her day-to-day life. Yet, after being in the care of dozens of people for years, it wasn’t until recently that two of her supplemental caregivers started noticing bruises on Norma’s arm. Suspicious, they decided to set up a hidden camera in her room to see first-hand how Norma was being treated.

That camera witnessed and documented hours of Norma being thrown around, screamed at, stolen from, threatened, and malnourished. Horrified, her caregivers decided to lay charges against the retirement home and to move Norma to a new facility. Months later, they had to move Norma yet again, as she was experiencing abuse at her new home as well.

If this sort of thing bothers you, you will probably want to convince yourself that this is an isolated incident. It isn’t.

Norma’s story is only one of several hundred thousand instances of elder abuse that continue to take place across Canada. And though Norma’s wounds made it easier to recognize her abuse, many other seniors endure emotional, financial, or sexual abuse, most of which is perpetrated by a member of the victim’s family, and much of which goes unreported.

Today in Canada, roughly 11 per cent of our population is over the age of 65. Of that number, says Statistics Canada, roughly seven per cent have experienced abuse. In Edmonton alone, then, according to these percentages, approximately 8000 seniors are experiencing some sort of abuse. Sadly, that is most likely a very conservative estimate, as it is suspected that many people will not report seniors’ abuse, even if they see it or experience first hand.

The numbers become more alarming as you project them over the near future: By the year 2041, over 23 per cent of the population will be 65 or older, compared with 12 per cent in 1995. The problem is becoming obvious: Lack of awareness has led to a high rate of elder abuse, and the trend will likely continue to grow if awareness does not increase.

It is with this in mind that the City of Edmonton Elder Abuse Intervention Team (EAIT) invites everyone to observe the inaugural World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2009.

“The biggest reason elder abuse continues to this day is lack of understanding,” said Jackie Allen of The Support Network, a member agency of the EAIT. “Studies show that when people are more aware of what constitutes abuse, they are more likely to report it.”

According to Jackie, elder abuse can take on many forms other than physical. In fact, the definition of Elder Abuse according to the Government of Alberta is “any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well-being of any older adult.” These actions fit into any of six broad categories of abuse (in order of prevalence): financial, emotional/psychological, physical, neglect, medication-related, and sexual. Abusers are most often the spouses or adult children of the victim of abuse, and very often, the abuse goes unreported by the because of fear, shame, or lack of awareness.

At the 2006 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, The Support Network, along with its partners in the EAIT (the City of Edmonton Community Services, the Edmonton Police Service, and Catholic Social Services) will stress the need for all members of the community to understand what constitutes abuse of seniors and how it can be prevented. Edmontonians are encouraged to wear purple and join the EAIT at City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon to learn more and to show their support for ending senior abuse.

“It is our hope that through the Elder Abuse Awareness Day, people in Edmonton and the world over will come to realize it is both the responsibility and to the benefit of everybody to recognize and report elder abuse in any form it might take,” said Jackie.

“It seems like elder abuse is finally becoming more of a topic on the public agenda, and this feels like a very positive first step.”

For more information about seniors’ abuse or World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, please visit www.thesupportnetwork.com. Or, if you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, please call the Seniors’ Abuse HelpLine at 454-8888.

Last updated: October 30, 2008