This weekend, as we mark both Father’s Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage Islanders to reach out and connect with seniors in their families and in our communities to prevent social isolation, says Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors.
“Social isolation is one of the primary factors that can put a senior at risk for neglect and abuse,” said Minister Docherty. “Being socially connected with family, friends and neighbours can have a positive affect on a senior’s emotional well-being and can help him or her understand what is happening and where to reach out if help is needed.”
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized on June 15, 2014. The abuse of older adults may take many forms including:
• Financial abuse: theft, dishonest use of money or assets, forgery, fraud, misuse of a Power of Attorney
• Neglect (self neglect or neglect by another person): abandoning an older adult, failing to provide necessary services, food or shelter
• Physical abuse: kicking, shoving, hitting, forcible confinement, withholding or under-medicating
• Emotional and verbal abuse: threatening, insulting, intimidating or humiliating an older adult
• Sexual abuse: sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact.
An older adult who is experiencing abuse may be embarrassed or fearful and may withdraw from contact with friends and family. Minister Docherty offered the following tips to help seniors stay more socially active and connected with potential support networks:
• Clubs, retiree organizations, and special interest groups (such as historic societies or naturalist organizations) are great ways to meet new people who share the same interests.
• Learn more about the PEI Friendly Visitor Program, which matches people with similar interests for conversation. Call the PEI Senior Citizens Federation at 368-9008 or go online at www.peiscf.com/Friendly_Visitor_Program.html
• Lend a helping hand and increase your connection with younger and older people, perhaps through volunteering.
• Learn more about abuse of older adults at www.gov.pe.ca/seniors/weadd or www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca/seniors
Any senior who thinks he or she may be experiencing abuse, or is unsure, should contact the local Adult Protection Services office for advice:
Charlottetown: 368-4790
Montague: 838-0786
O'Leary: 859-8730
Souris: 687-7096
Summerside: 888-8440
For more information, contact the Office of Seniors at 1-866-770-0588 or seniors@gov.pe.ca. If there is an immediate safety issue, call 9-1-1.