Elder abuse: an ongoing dilemma in a growing country

By: Kassandra Coates

Elderly Abuse

Feb 25, 2015

Experts at a recent conference said Abuse of the elderly is a growing concern and needs to be covered, at conference on elder abuse Feb 21.

The Windsor Geriatric conference was held to raise awareness about elder abuse and what constituted elder abuse.

Tatum Dault, a social worker at Family Services and the elder abuse social worker for Windsor-Essex County, said she actively works with seniors who have been referred to Family Services Windsor-Essex for potential or confirmed cases of elder abuse.

“Generally the abuser is a person who holds a position of trust — children, unrelated caregivers or other relatives,” said Dault. “Financial elder abuse is the highest reported type of abuse.”

Dault said some of the most common warning signs and symptoms of elderly abuse include unexplained physical injuries, increasing depression, dehydration or lack of food, poor hygiene, rashes, pressure sores and intentional over or under medicating.

“For an elderly person to protect themselves, it is good for people to stay active, educated and have a support system to recognize any signs,” said Dault.

Payette said seniors can protect themselves by using public services such as the police, and report anybody who is hurting or taking advantage of them.

In the coming decades, Statistic Canada has projected the Canada’s population will continue to age, with the proportion of Canadians aged 55 and older rising from 27 per cent in 2011 to 35 per cent in 2031. The statistics also show that the number of Ontarians facing elder abuse is 60,000 and will continue to rise.

“Elder abuse will more than likely be on the rise, directly linked to the rise in elderly population.  Especially frauds, involving money scams,” said Leah Payette, 45, a Registered Nurse certified in Gerontology, a study of elderly people.

Suspicions of elder abuse should be reported to local police department if it is criminal, the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the Family Service Windsor-Essex to make a referral.