Ontario Government Marks Elder Abuse Awareness Day

News Release

October 19, 2006

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT MARKS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
Making It Easier For Victims To Get Help

TORONTO – The Ontario government is marking Elder Abuse Awareness Day by helping people to identify the signs of elder abuse and urging them to report it, Jim Bradley, Minister Responsible for Seniors, announced today.

“We want to alert people to the signs of elder abuse,” Bradley said. “It is important for all of us to be aware of this problem, and to act to prevent seniors from being victimized.”

Elder abuse can take a variety of forms: neglect, as well as physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse. Statistics show that elder abuse is often perpetrated by someone in a position of trust or authority. In the case of financial abuse, family members, including children, or close relatives, are often the abusers. In some cases it can be a caregiver or close friend.

Seniors who are experiencing abuse or neglect may become depressed, fearful and anxious. They may have unexplained physical injuries or begin making unusual banking withdrawals. Often they are socially withdrawn and become passive and very compliant. There may also be noticeable changes to their hygiene or nutrition.

“We hope to make more people aware that abuse is a fact of life for at least 60,000 Ontario seniors,” said Teri Kay, Executive Director of the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA). “We hope our public education efforts will help people recognize this problem in their family or community, and make them more likely to report abuse to someone who can help.”

According to the research, the single largest factor that contributes to the development of an abusive relationship is social isolation. Unfortunately, elder abuse is often not reported by the victim, for fear of consequences to themselves or their family situation, or because of feelings of shame.

“To shed light on this hidden crime, I encourage all Ontarians to reach out to the seniors and call the province-wide, toll-free Victims’ Support line at 1-888-579-2888,” said Bradley.

The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, and the Ministry of the Attorney General have joined forces with communities across the province to implement the province’s $4.3 million, five-year strategy to combat elder abuse.

Other McGuinty government initiatives for seniors include:

Providing $459,000 in new funding to combat elder abuse for 61 organizations across the province

Investing a record $1.4 billion a year in home care, while expanding home care to about 45,100

Making mandatory retirement illegal by the end of this year.

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Contacts:
David Oved, Minister’s Office, (416) 314-1400
Donna Piasentini, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7242

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