The United Nations designated June 15 each year as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - a day in which people across the globe use their collective voice to raise awareness about abuse against older persons. Elder abuse is an issue that affects millions of older adults and has detrimental effects on their health and well-being. It is estimated that 16% of older adults over the age of 60 have been affected by some form of abuse, and that number has likely increased during the global pandemic due to an increase of older adults seeking help during the pandemic. (1)
Abuse and neglect can take many forms and is not just limited to physical abuse. Psychological and financial abuse is also common. Knowing how to recognize potential signs of abuse is a critical first step in combatting the issue. Unfortunately, we often fail to recognize early warning signs and these harmful actions go unnoticed. The added complexities that the COVID-19 global pandemic has presented have made it even more challenging to identify signs of abuse and neglect.
Whether you are an older adult or a caregiver for an older adult, our resources are an important first step to educating yourself about what constitutes abuse and what to do if you suspect you or someone you love is a victim of it.
To report elder abuse, you can find resources specific to your province or territory using the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/elder-abuse/resources-province-territory.html
