National Senior Safety Week has just passed, but the importance of promoting seniors' safety in the community by enhancing the public's awareness of safety and security issues can't be overstated.
It is important that seniors receive information and resources to better protect themselves from becoming victims of crime, say the OPP.
Most financial abuse to a senior is perpetrated by a family member, an influencer, or someone who has befriended the senior unexpectedly. Some signs may include:
- Changes in living arrangements
- Poor living conditions in comparison with seniors assets
- Changes in the senior's appearance
- The senior no longer seems independent
- Items go missing or are being taken without the senior's consent
See something, say something. If you are a senior who is experiencing abuse:
- Talk with someone you trust and respect
- Seek out additional support from a local community centre
- Call 211 for local resources
- Call The Seniors Safety Line: 1-866-299-1011
- Speak with your local police
- In the case of an emergency or if the abuse has turned physical, call 911
"The focus is on raising awareness of elder abuse to ensure we can all grow old feeling safe, valued, and respected. Abuse can occur anywhere, including in your own home, home of the caregiver, long-term care homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals," says the release.
Elder abuse refers to the violence, mistreatment, or neglect that older adults may experience at the hands of their spouses, children, other family members, caregivers, service providers, or other individuals in positions of power or trust.
The following are local resources that may provide assistance to aging residents within our communities:
- 211Ontario can help you navigate through a network of social services quickly and easily. Visit 211ontario.ca or call 2-1-1.
- Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) is an innovative and valued partner in the healthcare system, delivering home and community services for older adults and caregivers. Call or visit 906-713-6596www.chats.on.ca.
- Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, visit http://www.eapon.ca/ or call the Seniors Safety Line at 1-866-299-1011.
- Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, visit https://cnpea.ca/en/.
- Canada Safety Council, visit https://canadasafetycouncil.
org/category/campaigns/senior- safety-week/
"During these challenging times, it is important to maintain a connection with those who are vulnerable members of our community," says Detective Sergeant Tanya Tremble." If you notice a change in circumstances, please reach out to see if everything is okay. That may be their only window to ask for help. All seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, so if you see something, say something."
If you or someone you know has been abused or is experiencing abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Please call the OPP non-emergency line at , Crime Stoppers at (8477) or in the case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1. 1-800-222-TIPS1-888-310-1122
In the spirit of National Senior Safety Week, the #OPP encourages people to report #elderabuse. See something? Say something! Seniors Safety Line: 1-866-299-1011 @cnpea @SeniorsON @EAPreventionON @211 ^kv pic.twitter.com/JTAJqGFhmF
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) November 12, 2020
