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Elder Abuse:
Seniors Crime Prevention:
Elder abuse is not committed by strangers. It is harm done to an older person by a relative, friend or anyone the elder depends on for their basic needs.
Elder abuse occurs anywhere, including homes, institutions and health care facilities. It is a universal issue that is not impacted by socio-economic status.
There are four main categories of elder abuse. They are:
- Physical abuse
- May consist of assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement and/or murder
- Financial abuse
- Includes theft, theft by person with Power of Attorney, fraud, extortion, forgery and/or stopping mail with intent
- Neglect
- May involve criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death and/or failing to provide the necessities of life
- Mental cruelty
- Includes intimidation and/or uttering threats
These categories usually do not exist separately or in isolation.
Prevention Strategies for Families and Caregivers:
- Do:
- Learn how your aging parent or relative wishes to be cared for in the event they become dependent or require medical care
- Find out how they want their assets spent and/or maintained
- Carefully assess your own ability to provide care for an increasingly dependent relative
- Consult with other family members about how caregiving arrangements will affect them
- Examine the physical layout of potential homes to ensure they are appropriate (i.e. is a first floor bathroom required?)
- Learn about all community resources available to help
- Don't:
- Undertake the care of an older relative on the spur of the moment or out of guilt
- Assume that a tenuous relationship will miraculously improve when the person comes to live with you
- Feel you have failed if you are unable to provide home care at any time and must seek an alternative
Prevention Suggestions for Older Persons:
- Do:
- Plan for your own future when you are well and still independent
- Make a will and review it annually
- Have your pension and other cheques deposited directly into your account
- Stay active in your community for as long as possible
- Don't:
- Revise a will without careful thought and before speaking to someone you trust
- Leave jewellery, cash, or other valuable possessions lying around your home
- Rely solely on family members for your social life and care
- Allow adult children to return to your home (especially if they have drug, alcohol and/or psychological problems) without carefully considering the situation and consulting others for advice
- Be too proud to ask for help when you need it (i.e. public health nurse, church, senior centre, friends)
- Be intimidated in seeking your rights because of your age
The Halton Regional Police Service has a number of programs in place to assist older persons and their families. Click here for more information.