Elder Abuse
Our older adult support worker and advocate can help unravel the complexities of abuse against older adults 55+ aging in the community.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is any intentional or reckless act or willful and negligent disregard, occurring within a relationship of family, trust or dependency, directed at someone 55 years of age or older.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse involves the misuse of an older adult's funds or property through fraud, theft, or coercion, including stealing money, misusing credit cards, forging signatures, or manipulating through power of attorney.
Psychological or Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse involves verbal aggression, humiliation, isolation, threats, and controlling activities, diminishing an older adult's identity and self-worth while causing fear, anxiety, or stress.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves using force that causes discomfort or harm to an older adult, including slapping, shaking, pushing, striking, unnecessary restraint, or failure to provide adequate healthcare.
Sexual Abuse
Elder sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual activity or behavior, such as verbal harassment, fondling, forced intercourse, invasion of privacy, or being coerced into degrading acts.
Neglect
Neglect involves failing to provide an older adult with basic care or necessities, including adequate living conditions, social interaction, hygiene, food, or necessary aids.
Medication Abuse
Medication abuse of an older adult can include withholding, overmedicating, or not refilling prescriptions.
We Can Help
Our priority is to respond to vulnerable older adults 55+ who reside in the City of Camrose, Camrose County and City of Wetaskiwin.
- We can provide goal-oriented support and advocacy.
- We can respond to complaints and concerns about abuse.
- We connect people to the community.
- We can unravel the complexities of abuse.
- We can promote well-being and security.
Reduce Your Risk
There are some ways an older adults can help reduce their risk of being a target of elder abuse.
- Stay connected to positive friends and community.
- Make lifestyle choices that help you stay fit and healthy.
- Choose carefully who will assist you with decisions.
- Know your rights.
- Tell people who you trust if you feel uncomfortable about how you are being treated.
- Find out about resources before you need them.
- Get legal or professional advice before signing documents.
- Have a caregiver plan, so your caregiver is supported and less likely to abuse.
- Call the police/RCMP if you believe you are the victim of abuse or a crime.
Getting Help
Whether you are experiencing abuse or know someone who is, help is available. Here’s what you can do:
For Yourself
If in immediate danger leave or call the police: Go to a safe place immediately, such as a neighbor, friend, or relative, or a business or shelter. If you can't leave home, call 9-1-1.
Confide in someone you trust: Talk to a friend, family member, health professional, or someone at your place of worship. Our Elder Abuse support worker is also available to support you.
Keep a record: Document the abuse in a daily record to help support your case.
Don't blame yourself: Document the abuse in a daily record to help support your case.
For A Loved One
Call the police: If they are in imminent danger, dial 9-1-1. If not, use the local police dispatch line for guidance and resources.
Talk and listen: Be open and compassionate. Assure them the abuse is not their fault and that help is available.
Support and encourage: Help them contact community agencies and offer ongoing support based on their needs and decisions.
Respect their choices: Understand that leaving an abusive situation is difficult. Avoid being judgmental and remind them you are there to support them whenever needed.
Resources
Elder Abuse: GET HELP - Government of Alberta
Coordinated Community Response
Camrose is proud to be part of the Government of Alberta Coordinated Community Response (CCR) program, Taking Action Against Elder Abuse. We work with partners across the province that provide coordinated supports that prevent and respond to elder abuse, including effective intervention resources.
Working through the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council, we are part of a provincial community of practice to increase awareness, networking, training and develop a standardized approach to case management and standardized elder abuse data collection.
FAQs
Contact Us
If you're questioning someone's behavior and think it might be abusive, it's important to reach out. Even if it isn't abuse, we can help you access other resources to support your situation. It's better to seek help and find out than to stay silent and risk harm. We also offer a helpful checklist on "How to Know if You Are Being Mistreated" that you can download to help assess your situation.