Senior Abuse Awareness Resources Released

The province is introducing a new senior abuse awareness toolkit to help identify abuse and make life safer for seniors.

The launch coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, today, June 15.

"This awareness program will help neighbours, friends, families and many others recognize the signs of senior abuse and how to intervene safely and respectfully," said Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Seniors.

Senior abuse is largely underestimated because it often is not easily recognized and is frequently unreported. Senior abuse can be defined as physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse, and neglect.

Abuse can occur in relationships of trust, such as with family, intimate partners, adult children, grandchildren, friends, a care worker, or a paid person providing services in an older adult's home.

Department staff will offer training for the new resource, Understanding Senior Abuse: A toolkit for Community Champions, to volunteers. Non-profit community groups may be eligible for up to $250 to host a training event.

"This toolkit provides critical information on the complexities of senior abuse and it offers direction on how to help people make the next step," said Dawn Thomas, RCMP seniors safety co-ordinator for the Digby area. "Getting out of an abusive situation is often not as cut and dry as it appears."

The senior abuse awareness toolkit includes a presentation, booklet and discussion materials.

For information on training, visit www.gov.ns.ca/seniors or call, toll free, 1-800-670-0065.

Seniors, and family or friends of seniors, who need immediate assistance with an abuse situation should call local police.

Administrators, staff and volunteers of hospitals, licensed residential and long-term care facilities are required to report all allegations or instances of abuse.

For information or referral, call the toll-free, confidential, Senior Abuse Information and Referral Line at 1-877-833-3377.