Elder Abuse Is Shameful
June 15, 2008
World Elder Abuse day is June 15. It was first declared in 2006 by the World Health Organization and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. While many forms of abusive relationships exist in our society, one of the most reprehensible is elder abuse: physical, mental, sexual or, perhaps the most perverse of abuses, financial.The elderly whose will has been weakened by the advancing onset of age cannot defend themselves, as they surely would have in their younger years, and are shamed into silence. That shame gives confidence to abusers and the abuse can continue, hidden for years.
Life-long savings carefully planned to provide security and independence from the state, planned small gifts to family members or charities of choice from the remaining assets on demise are heartlessly drained away by those most close to them, right before their eyes.
It is important for government to take the lead on combating and preventing elder abuse, to recognize the problem and be the architects of its resolution. Senator Marjorie Lebreton, Secretary of State (Seniors) has been very active on this topic. When our government established the National Seniors Council, raising awareness to combat elder abuse was one of the first tasks given to it.
You can find out more about elder abuse, what it is and how to combat it, at www.seniorsinfo.ca. There, as well as at www.seniors.gc.ca, you will find helpful information on everything relating to seniors, from finances and pensions through legal matters to safety and security.
I commend those on the front lines of the efforts, police departments across the country, but they need more resources and better tools.
Elder abuse is pervasive and shamefully growing. We need to do better to protect our seniors.
What do you think?