New Westminster residents are encouraged to reflect on what they can do to support the older adults in their lives as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The United Nations General Assembly has designated each June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, in an effort to recognize the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.
Alison Silgardo, CEO of the New West-based Seniors Services Society of B.C., said Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to start a conversation around elder abuse and to make a commitment to take action to uphold the rights of older adults in our communities. As the seniors’ population in B.C. continues to grow and as life expectancy is expected to continue to increase, she said there is a growing focus on the risks affecting older adults.
“Like everyone else, older adults deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and have a right to live free from abuse and discrimination,” she told city council. “We each have a role to play in creating safe, supportive communities where all want to live and grow old.”
City council has proclaimed June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in New Westminster. The city’s proclamation said that abuse of older adults is an ever-increasing issue in society that crosses all cultures and socio-economic boundaries, with ageism and social isolation being major causes of elder abuse.
“New Westminster’s older adults are valued, contributing members of our community who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a news release. “I encourage our residents to recognize and celebrate our city’s older adults and their ongoing contribution to the success and vitality of our city. I also urge everyone to join the global movement to stop elder abuse and restore respect by educating themselves about the rights of older adults.”
As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the city will light up New Westminster City Hall and the police station in purple, as purple is WEAAD’s hallmark colour.
The theme for 2022 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Human Rights Don’t Get Old.
The Seniors Services Society of B.C. partnered with the B.C, Association of Community Response Networks and other community organizations to form the New Westminster Community Response Network. The network provides workshops to the community to build awareness of abuse and neglect, to help community workers recognize the signs of abuse and to identify those who can take action.
“We all have a role to play in creating safe, supportive communities where we all want to live and grow old in,” Silgardo said. “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to start a conversation around elder abuse and what each of us can do to uphold and protect the rights of older adults in our communities.”
According to a press release from the Seniors Services Society, one in 12 seniors will experience financial abuse caused by close family members or trusted friends. Many cases of elder abuse go unreported.
The Ministry of Health reports that as many as 10 per cent of B.C. seniors will experience some form of abuse in their later years.
What can you do?
The Seniors Services Society of B.C. has some ideas about how folks can support older family members, friends, neighbours and co-workers:
* Wear purple on June 15 to show your support and to honour older adults.
* Learn to recognize the warning signs of elder abuse, how to respond safely and supportively, and where to refer people for services and supports.
* Learn about ageism – reflect on your attitudes about getting older and your attitudes towards older adults.
* Reach out to an older adult you are concerned about. Offer your support.
* Work with your community to make elder abuse prevention a top priority.
* Promote elder abuse awareness online.
For information about how to become involved with the New Westminster Community Response Network or to request workshops or education on how to recognize warning signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond, and where to refer in the community to find help, contact Leanore Sali, coordinator of the New Westminster CRN, at 604-520-6621
Need help?
If you suspect a senior is being abused, are a senior who is experiencing abuse or are seeking information about elder abuse, call 911, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
For non-emergency situations, referrals or information, contact:
* Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL): 604-437-1940.
* VictimLinkBC: 1-800-563-0808 (tollfree)
* B.C. Association of Community Response Network: www.bccrns.ca.
Provincial findings
In December 2021, B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie released Hidden and Invisible – a report that provided the results of a systemic review of seniors’ abuse and neglect in British Columbia.
The report highlighted that reports of abuse and neglect of people 65 and over have increased significantly in the past five years. It stated there has been a 49 per cent increase in report of abuse, neglect and self-neglect to health authorities; a 69 per cent increase in reports of victims of violent crime to the RCMP; an 87 per cent increase in reports of physical abuse to the Vancouver Police; and a 49 per cent increase of financial abuse to the Vancouver Police.
“Reported cases of seniors’ abuse and neglect have risen significantly over the past five years,” Mackenzie said when releasing the report. “This tells us that the problem is growing. As the population continues to age, we must ensure our systems for identifying, reporting and reducing seniors’ abuse and neglect are strong.”
The report found 28 per cent of British Columbians had reported witnessing seniors’ abuse and neglect, but less than half reported the abuse, mostly because they did not know who to call.
