Lethbridge seniors walk to raise elder abuse awareness
Dozens of Lethbridge seniors joined in an “awareness walk” Thursday, as southern Albertans recognized elder abuse issues across the nation. City police officers and social agency staff members also took part in the walk around the Civic Centre track, one of thousands of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events drawing attention to those dangers.
The Alberta government showed its continuing support Thursday, announcing grants totalling $1.5 million to groups that work together on abuse prevention strategies and greater safety measures. The Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization will share in those funds as a co-ordinated community response that extends outside the city, and a partner with Lethbridge Family Services in helping immigrant and refugee seniors as well.
Social isolation has been pointed out this year as a significant factor in elder abuse, points out LSCO spokesperson Marlene Van Eden. If a frail senior’s only visitor is a family member who abuses that situation, victimization may occur.
“Financial abuse is the most common,” she says. A family member or friend trusted to take care of banking and bills takes extra money, with or without permission.
“And along with that, there could be emotional abuse.”
Physical abuse of a senior and fraud can lead to criminal charges, points out Const. Karla Hagen, an elder abuse specialist with the Lethbridge Police Service.
It’s difficult to find figures showing if elder abuse is growing or declining in Lethbridge, she says, because unlike spousal abuse there are no specific charges relating to the victims’ age.
Seniors who suspect they are being abused, however, are urged to make a confidential phone call to the Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network at 403-394-0306. Community members who know of a senior being abused are asked to call as well, and may remain anonymous.
Common signs of abuse, network members say, include bruises, declining health, poor hygiene or depression, as well as unpaid bills, increasing isolation and withdrawal from normal activities.
The response network is also focused on prevention, Van Eden says, offering workshops for health-care personnel, professionals, seniors and other community members.
LSCO also partners with other Lethbridge groups working to reduce seniors’ isolation, she adds.
“We want to make them feel they’re still part of society.”