H.E.A.R.

Helping Elder Abuse Reduction:

Our 24-HOUR RESOURCE INFORMATION LINE FOR THE REDUCTION OF ABUSE OF OLDER ADULTS IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

If you suspect abuse, CALL and ask to speak to an Advocate:

            TOLL FREE: 1-877-454-2580

            OR Local: 403-346-6076

Seniors in Central Alberta suffer at the hands of loved ones and caregivers on a regular basis. The mission of the HEAR program is to reduce the number of Elder Abuse incidents in Red Deer by providing a 24-Hour Seniors Abuse Resource telephone information line answered by trained advocates who share this concern. These volunteers provide information and referral tips to assist seniors and their loved ones concerned about abuse of older adults.

The Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre is the leader in Elder Abuse Awareness in Central Alberta. With the inception of the HEAR program our vision is to advocate on behalf of older adults who have suffered from abuse of any kind. The Golden Circle therefore has developed the HEAR program as an initiative to provide 24-Hour services in the specific areas of Outreach, Emergency Housing, Education and Referrals through our
24-Hour Seniors Abuse Resource Line.

With the rising numbers of older adults being cared for by family members and caregivers combined with increased economic stress, we expect the number of reported Elder Abuse cases to rise significantly. We are preparing now for this increased number of disclosures.

Statistics

If Statistics Canada projections hold true for Alberta, by 2021 the senior population in our province will increase to 19% of the total population and by 2041 that figure will increase to 25%. A survey of the senior population by Statistics Canada revealed that 7%of them had experienced some form of abuse.

With Alberta’s population just over 3.7 million this year there is a potential of more than 260,000 seniors who are experiencing abuse of some kind. These numbers are based on the number of seniors who report abusive situations and do not include the potentially much larger figure of that which goes unreported because of fear or unawareness of resources available.

TYPES OF ABUSE

 

• FINANCIAL – misuse of funds or property through fraud, trickery, theft or force
• EMOTIONAL – verbal aggression, humiliation, isolation, intimidation, threats, inappropriate control of activities, removal of decision-making power while individual is competent, withholding affection for manipulative purposes, refusing access to grandchildren, denying privacy in institutions
• PHYSICAL – any form of physical assault such as: slapping, pushing, kicking, punching, injuring with an object or weapon, deliberate exposure to severe weather, unnecessary physical restraint
• SEXUAL – all unwanted sexual activity such as: verbal/suggestive behaviour, sexual intercourse, fondling or a lack of personal privacy
• MEDICAL – misuse of medications and prescriptions by: withholding, overmedicating, improper refilling, theft for the purpose of resale, refusing to act on possible side effects, refusal to obtain appropriate medical intervention
• HUMAN RIGHTS – any violation of rights including: withholding of information, denying privacy, visitors or religious worship, restricting liberty, unwarranted confining to a hospital or institution, interfering with mail.
• NEGLECT – the intentional or unintentional failure to provide the necessities of life by either active or passive means, self-neglect in ways which disregard health or safety.

The most common forms of abuse disclosed by victims are EMOTIONAL and FINANCIAL.

 

BARRIERS TO REPORTING

The most common reasons for not reporting the abuse were:

·         Fear of: reprisal, institutionalization, of rejection/abandonment, losing their caregiver, losing access to family, of the abuse reflecting poorly on family

·         Love of the abuser

• Lack of understanding or impairment
• Shame and/or guilt
• Unaware of resource options
• Acceptance of abuse or neglect as being normal

If you are experiencing any form of abuse

Or

if you suspect someone you know may be experiencing abuse,

please call our

toll free information line at

1-877-454-2580

to speak with someone about what to do.