Help for Victims of Elder Abuse and Neglect
Elder abuse and neglect means violence against seniors or mistreatment of seniors, including neglect of seniors who depend on others for care. Abuse or neglect may take many different forms including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial. Other forms are related to giving medication improperly (e.g., to control behaviour) and denied rights (e.g., to privacy, to make treatment decisions). Many types of abuse, and some types of neglect, are criminal offences. All types of abuse and neglect are harmful.
Abuse and neglect encompass a wide range of behaviours. Examples include:
- assault, rough treatment, or inappropriate restraint
- failing to meet the physical needs of someone who requires care
- chronic verbal abuse that belittles or intimidates
- leaving a person who requires care alone for long periods of time
- stealing money or possessions, or using money for unauthorized purposes
- failing to meet someone’s financial needs when responsible to do so
- unwanted sexual contact or sexual harassment
- giving too much or too little medication
- making decisions for someone who is capable of making them, against the person’s wishes
Each person can have different reactions to victimization. Trauma is the term that describes both the physical and emotional reactions to a traumatic event. Common symptoms of trauma include reviewing parts of the crime over and over in one’s mind, mood swings, shaken sense of personal safety, heightened sense of smell or hearing, emotional detachment, disassociation, and so on. Symptoms associated with trauma may take several weeks to subside. If you’re concerned about your or another’s reactions to a traumatic event, see a doctor, your counsellor, or contact VictimLink BC.
If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse or neglect, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.
Steps to Take if You or Someone You Know Needs Help
- If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical assistance, call 911 or the emergency number for your community.
- If the situation is not urgent but you want to report to the police, call the non-emergency number for police in your community.
- If you’re not sure about talking to the police, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 to discuss your options.
- If you are being abused, talk to another adult you can trust. If you need help ask for it.
- If you have the opportunity to inform your doctor or a home care worker or health nurse, tell them about the abuse.
- Regional Health Authorities have programs to assist abused or neglected adults. Please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 for more information.
Reporting to the Police
You may wish to report elder abuse or neglect to the police. Police respond to reports of persons in immediate danger or possible criminal offences including theft. If you’re not sure about reporting to the police, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 to discuss your options.
The Public Guardian and Trustee
The Public Guardian and Trustee investigates reports of financial abuse, and can provide financial management services for adults incapable of managing their own affairs.
To contact the Public Guardian and Trustee, call the Vancouver office at (604) 660-4444; call the Victoria office at (250) 356-8160; or call the Kelowna office at (250) 712-7576. Outside these calling areas, call Enquiry BC toll free in BC at 1-800-663-7867 and ask to be transferred to the Public Guardian and Trustee.
Other Services
The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support works to prevent elder abuse and to provide assistance and support to older adults that are, or may be, abused and those whose rights have been violated. They provide a range of programs that educate, support and advocate on behalf of their clients. Call toll free in BC at 1-866-437-1940.
If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse or neglect, or if you just want to talk to someone, please call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.