As seniors comprise the bulk of the audience at Amherstburg Community Services’ (ACS) “Feast with Friends” luncheons, a recent luncheon was another attempt to keep them safe.
The topic of elder abuse was raised last Thursday afternoon with a presentation on how to recognize it and how to deal with it given by Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment Const. Nick Dupuis, the community services officer.
Dupuis outlined various different types of elder abuse, from psychological abuse to financial abuse and physical abuse.
On the former, Dupuis said that includes isolation with that meaning people often keep their parents or other older adults away from other people.
“Isolation is a big one,” said Dupuis. “You are cutting someone off from their social group.”
Financial abuse can mean withholding money from an older adult or misusing their funds without their knowledge.
Signs that someone may be being abused include changes in their appearance or behaviour. If a person had once been well groomed and that stops being the case, that could be a sign something negative is occurring. Other signs of elder abuse are increasing anxiety or depression, fear, social withdrawal, unexplained physical injury, lack of food or clothing, unusual bank withdrawals, and failing to meet financial obligations.
“It can happen to any older adult,” Dupuis added of elder abuse.
Abusers can be family members, friends or anyone in a position of trust, he told the group.
If a person suspects that a friend or family member is being abused, Dupuis urged them to be a supportive as possible. He noted it may take a long time to get them to open up.
“For someone being abused, you are going to need them to co-operate,” he said. “Ask open-ended questions and be patient.”
Dupuis told the seniors present to not judge someone they think might be being abused and to try and advocate from them. He said victims will reach out when they are ready, adding people should not encounter suspected abusers on their own.
“The victim should be in control of what happens,” he said.
People can make anonymous calls to police’s non-emergency number to report abuse and that wellness checks can be requested.
Elder abuse the subject of recent "Feast with Friends" seminar
By Ron Giofu
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