Peterborough support for seniors facing abuse

Who would think that someone would assault or harm an aging parent or loved one? Unfortunately, the abuse of older adults continues and is often at the hands of a spouse or family member, leaving the senior to live in fear, suffering silently behind closed doors.

Domestic violence does not just affect younger people, it also affects older adults.

Family violence involves taking power and control over the older person and/or causing them harm, which can have a significant negative impact on their health and well-being. Although the older population has the lowest rates of domestic violence when compared to younger groups, it is still a growing societal problem, with close to 3,000 individuals over the age of 55 being victimized as reported by police in Canada (2013). It also recognized that a large number of older victims do not report the violence they experience.

Older adults who are reporting indicate the abuse began and continued throughout the marriage, was triggered by an event or significant life change such as retirement or having to care for their spouse in failing health. Others who indicate the violence was attributable to cognitive impairments or substance abuse that was causing increasing aggressive and violent behaviors in otherwise respectful marriage.

Often barriers and fears inhibit older adults’ ability to seek help or report the abuse to authorities. The fear of losing that family member from their life, the fear of starting over with little or no financial resources to do so, worrying about housing/shelter, what will happen if they report.

These all very real challenges and considerations for older adults where knowing about community supports is important. In Peterborough, there are many agencies who offer supports and services to assist older adults at-risk or experiencing domestic violence. These are just a few services available in our community. Did you know, for example the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton offers the START (Support Team for Abuse Response Today) program, which is a coordinated access to free, confidential services for women experiencing violence and abuse. For women who are ready to leave, or just have questions about their relationship they YWCA can help. To make an appointment call 705-743-3526 or just stop in on Mondays between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. They offer a 24 hour support and crisis line (1-800-461-7656) to help answer questions, create a safety plan, provide resources or simply listen.

There are also counselling programs available to seniors to address various forms of abuse including sexual abuse. The local Community Counselling and Resource Centre offers specialized counselling programs for individuals, couples and family counselling to members of our community over the age of 60, those facing challenges within their family, aging, grief and loss, caregiving, separation/divorce, or any other form of abuse including elder abuse.

To arrange counselling, call 705-7424258. The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre also offers free and confidential individual trauma-informed counselling to survivors of sexual violence. The Centre offers a 24/7 Crisis Support Line (1-866-2987778) and many different types of workshops and group counselling. You can learn more by calling 705-748-5901.

In responding to this important social issue, we all have a role to play to giving seniors support, kindheartedness, and encouragement to help them through these difficult times in their lives. We can increase our knowledge of services and Start the Conversation with an older adults to discuss their safety and well-being.

Through the work of Elder Abuse Ontario and the Abuse Prevention of Older Adults Network of Peterborough, we will continue to provide more education to help raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence and elder abuse among older adults in Ontario.