Talking Can Help Prevent Elder Abuse

NOTE: The following is a feature story prepared for Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Thursday, June 15, by the Seniors' Secretariat.

It has been conservatively estimated that between 5,000 and 13,000 of Nova Scotia's 132,600 seniors will be abused at some point as they age. Experts, however, say that many older people who are victimized by their friends, family members or others may not report their problem to appropriate authorities, making the real figure much higher.

Like child abuse or spousal abuse 30 years ago, however, the abuse of older citizens sometimes goes unrecognized, largely because many still do not understand just what the term means.

Elder abuse or senior abuse refers to actions that harm an older person or jeopardize a person's health or welfare. Elder abuse most often occurs within the family, by a spouse, children, and/or grandchildren. However, abusers can also include friends, neighbours, paid care providers, landlords and staff, or any individual in a position of power, trust, or authority. Abuse of older adults can take place in the home, in a residential care setting, or in the community.

Abuse can happen to any older adult. In fact, contrary to commonly held beliefs, most older adults who experience abuse are mentally competent, are not dependent on other people, and do not require constant care.

In many cases, people may not recognize abuse of seniors when it is happening. They may not understand what it is.

Abuse of older adults may be physical, emotional, financial or sexual. It also includes violation of rights and neglect.

Elder abuse is an issue that often goes largely ignored. By not talking about it, it remains hidden.

One of the most effective ways to prevent abuse is by increasing public awareness. That is why June 15 has been declared Elder Abuse Awareness Day, not only in Nova Scotia, but, for the first time, worldwide.

The first step is recognizing that elder abuse is a problem and not being afraid to talk about it. As one participant in a recent focus group said, "Call it what it is," and don't give it a fancy name, "be blunt."

There is still some resistance to admitting that elder abuse exists in our society and openly talking about it.

Another focus group participant said seniors have to know someone is listening to them and will help them before they come forward and admit they were abused: "They have to have their confidence first before they say anything. This is after the problem, they hope someone is listening and maybe doing something about it."

Valerie White, executive director of the Seniors' Secretariat, says that preventing elder abuse is a team effort that starts with education: "We believe that we must work together to shed light on elder abuse and to make sure that seniors feel safe in their homes and communities."

Education not only helps seniors understand and deal with abuse but it can help those around them recognize there is a problem. It does not matter who the abuser is, or why the person is abusing an older adult. No one deserves to be abused or mistreated.

In Nova Scotia, the Seniors' Secretariat is promoting awareness of elder abuse through the Nova Scotia Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and Prevention. The secretariat works with seniors' groups, community organizations and individuals throughout the province to increase awareness of abuse of older people.

"The secretariat is encouraging communities and the people who live there, especially seniors, to take action on elder abuse," says Barb Baker, the secretariat's elder abuse consultant.

An awareness campaign, to be launched in 2006, will also help shed light on abuse of older adults and inform seniors and others where to get help.

For more information on elder abuse see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/scs .