PLEA gratefully acknowledges our primary core funder the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for their continuing and generous support of our organization.
There are many reasons why victims of elder abuse and people who know about or suspect elder abuse do not take action. Understanding these reasons and some ways to take action can help combat elder abuse in our communities.
Awareness, education and support services can affect both reporting and addressing the abuse and neglect of older adults. No one deserves to be abused or neglected. If you are being abused or neglected, or if you think someone else is being abused, tell someone. Help is available.
Some older victims of abuse may not discuss the matter with someone they trust or report the abuse because they:
Limited social interactions or isolation from family and friends, combined with a victim's reluctance to speak up, may allow abuse to go unnoticed. Family, friends and other caregivers sometimes remain bystanders who suspect that an older person may be the victim of abuse or neglect but do not take any action because they:
Sometimes, people assume that older adults are not mentally competent. This could be because of certain physical or mental limitations. However, it is important to consider first whether the older person is capable of making their own choices. The goal of helping a victim of abuse is to leave them with more power, not less.
Different options are appropriate for different forms and stages of abuse. Your help could be anything from just listening, to getting the older adult's permission to involve others.
Victims may need information about the justice system. In particular, they may need to know where to go for help, what is likely to happen to the abuser and what impact it may have on them.
Before taking any action, it is important to ask yourself if what you are doing will help empower the older adult and help keep them safe. You do not want your actions to disempower them and put them in more danger. There are a variety of actions that you can consider…
Talk to the older adult in a non-judgmental fashion. Be patient and allow the older person to tell their story. Information gathering may take time. Acknowledge what they have said and let them know they are not alone. Help is available.
Provide information to older adults, families and caregivers about:
Reduce the potential for abuse by:
Contact other people who know the victim. This could be, for example:
Talk to the manager of the victim's bank or credit union if you suspect financial abuse. Bank personnel have a vested interest in preventing fraud.
If you believe the abuse is criminal behaviour, report it to the police or crown prosecutor. For more information, see Legal Responses to Abuse of Older Adults.
PLEA offers free online training on preventing and addressing workplace harassment.