Living in a province where the older population outnumbers the younger generation and elder abuse is on the rise, the Town of Cochrane is taking action to protect community seniors.
During an elder abuse awareness day at the Cochrane Legion June 13, seniors and residents discussed the issues around abuse and the town announced its hiring of a new elder abuse prevention co-ordinator. The position is in partnership with the Alberta’s Ministry of Seniors and Housing and accompanies a new provincial elder abuse resource line, which people can call if they suspect an older adult is being abused or a criminal act is happening.
Studies show four to eight per cent of seniors are being abused and approximately 25 per cent of crimes against older adults committed by a family member.
“Today is important because there is a large portion of seniors and you want to ensure everyone is well represented,” said Bob Head, a Cochrane senior whose wife lives at the Bethany Care Centre.
“Today is about starting a conversation,” said Sharon Moore, organizer.
“We did a needs assessment and people said they were seeing [elder abuse] but didn’t know how to respond.”
Moore explained the event was one part of a three-part strategic development plan implementing collective community action. The first step is raising awareness, the second step is to draft a protocol document (currently in the works) to address what to do if a senior is being abused and the third step is to train staff at all the service providers.
“We can’t do this alone – we need to do this as a community,” Moore said.
Three Cochrane seniors at the event who all have partners living at the Bethany Care Centre discussed the less obvious abuse seniors face.
“Is neglect abuse?” one of the ladies asked.
The rest at the table agreed it was but mentioned that certain types of abuse can be hard to identify.
“With elder abuse you don’t always know what you’re looking for or who to report it to and people are scared to lose their independence,” said Janny Hutchinson.
While the obvious forms of abuse can be sexual and physical, financial psychological and neglect are less obvious types of abuse that can be hard to identify and report.
“If it’s abuse in the family … it’s embarrassing and it can be hard to report on family,” Marion Campbell, Cochrane senior said.
“Many don’t even know if it is abuse,” Hutchinson added.
Those attending the workshop received an information sheet with warning signs of elder abuse and a list of resources in the community, including Cochrane Family and Community Support Services, Bethany Cochrane, Cochrane & Area Victim Services, RCMP, Seniors on the Bow and Cochrane Addiction & Mental Health.
“I think it is important to recognize seniors and acknowledge their contributions … We put a lot of years supporting this country and building this country,” Campbell said.
The day ended with the planting of a lilac tree at the cenotaph, which organizers said will become an annual tradition in different areas around town. A short walk where attendees sported the colour purple, which represents World Elder Abuse Day, followed the event and pancake breakfast.
The Elder Abuse Resource Line phone number is 403-705-3250.
