The community needs to be more aware of elder abuse and isolation. So say representatives from St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Every year, June 15 is the symbolic day when everyone is asked to do their parts to help the community better recognize the mistreatment of older adults and highlight the need for appropriate action.
This is going to become more important as time goes on too. Demographics experts say that up to 25 per cent of the country’s population will be 65 and older within the next 20 years. As more of us are included in that age group, there will certainly be more instances of abuse.
“The focus for us in Alberta right now is on isolation and how it impacts elder abuse. The connection between the two is that a socially isolated senior is at increased risk of elder abuse,” said Caroline Smigielski, interim executive director with the SAIF Society.
Older adults who live alone and don’t have many close friends or family are at increased risk of isolation. So do those who have health issues, have recently moved to a new area, or aren’t involved in many out of home activities. Lower income, visible minorities, and language barriers can also be major contributing factors.
Cortney Lohnes, SAIF’s education co-ordinator, quoted a past scientific study stating that greater than 30 per cent of Canada’s seniors are socially isolated.
“Elder abuse is the action, or inaction of a person in a position of trust that causes harm to an older adult. Persons in a position of trust can include adult children, family members, friends, or caregivers. Controlling an older adult’s finances without their permission, forcing or withholding medication, and emotional and physical violence are all forms of elder abuse,” she said.
“Over time, someone experiencing abuse at the hands of a trusted helper may recede further into isolation as a result of the dynamics of abuse. Feelings of shame of what is happening to them may cause them to withdraw from social settings. Some people grow up believing that abuse is normal and even, acceptable. These conditions keep the victim of abuse silent, again reinforcing the isolation that is part of the cycle of abuse.”
There are many easy things that most people can do to help seniors avoid becoming isolated in the first place. These include calling regularly to check in, making scheduled visits, taking them on shopping trips or driving them to and from their appointments, or simply inviting them out to a coffee shop. You could help them with computer work, bring them library books, offer to research community resources, or even drop off prepared meals, or help make a meal for them in their home.
“Finding ways to eliminate isolation and help foster a community where people from all walks of life can contribute and engage with others in healthy ways is not only good for an individual’s health, but will help our communities thrive,” Lohnes ended.
If you or someone you know is impacted by elder abuse, there is help available. For more information and resources, call the Family Violence Information Line at 310-1818 or visit www.seniors.alberta.ca.
Locally, people can always call SAIF at 780-460-2195 or visit www.stopabuse.ca.
