Senior Abuse

Seniors Liaison Officer

The Greater Sudbury Police Service has a member assigned as a Seniors Liaison Officer who is dedicated to addressing crimes involving older adults. The Officer is available for presentations on topics such as fraud, personal safety, and abuse of older adults
upon request.

Abuse of Older Adult

Recognize, Respond, Report

What is Abuse?
Any act that harms or threatens to harm the health or well-being of an older adult. Forms of abuse include psychological abuse, financial, and physical, as well as neglect and sexual assault (Ministry of Solicitor General, Policing Standards Manual, 2000).

What Causes Abuse of Older Adults?

Many factors may lead to inadequate care and abuse of the older adult. Factors that may lead to abuse:

Previous history of abuse in a family
Financial problems
Inadequate housing
Chronic health problems
Caregiver burnout

Types of Abuse

Financial

A person in a position of trust (Power of Attorney, caregiver, family, neighbour, workman etc.) withholding money, forcing a senior to sell or sign over property or possessions, or demanding changes in an older adult's Last Will and Testament.
Forms of abuse include psychological, financial, and physical abuse, as well as neglect and sexual assault (Ministry of Solicitor General, Policing Standards Manual, 2000).

Psychological

Treating an older adult like a child, bullying, name calling, humiliation, intimidation, and harassment
Isolation (restricting family visits, social outings, etc.)
Second most frequently reported

Physical

Pushing, shaking, hitting, rough handling, or sexually assaulting
Over/Under Medicating
Use of Restraints

Neglect

Leaving an older adult in an unsafe or isolated place
"Forgetting" to provide the necessities of life: food, heat, appropriate seasonal clothing, appropriate clean shelter, medication, medical aids, and medical care

Indicators of Abuse Senior

Cuts, bruises, bites, burns
Sudden onset of confusion or loss of clarity
Untreated bedsores
Poor hygiene
Withdrawal
Depression
Anxiety
Fear of family members, friends, or caregivers
Suddenly unable to afford food, clothing, or other necessities
Missing personal items
Sudden changes in an older adult's Last Will and Testament
Unusual withdrawals from an older adult's bank account
An older adult being pressured into signing legal documents that they cannot explain

How You Can Help
An older person may require the assistance from various agencies. YOU can help by contacting agencies and then discussing the services with the older adult.

Call Police When
You suspect assault, sexual assault, theft, fraud, forgery, forcible confinement, and/or failing to provide the necessities of life.

Resources

Greater Sudbury Police Service
Emergency	9-1-1
Non-Emergency	(705) 675-9171
Seniors Liaison Officer	(705) 675-9171 Ext. 2104
Other Resources
Sudbury Elder Abuse Committee	(705) 524-5738
Community Care Access Centre	(705) 522-3461
Long-Term Care Action Line	(866) 434-0144
PhoneBusters	(888) 495-8501

Publications

Abuse of Older
Adult Pamphlet

Project Pamphlet

Seniors Links of InterestAdvocacy Centre for the Elderly (A.C.E)
The Advocacy Centre for The Elderly is a community-based legal clinic for low-income senior citizens. ACE is managed by a volunteer board of directors, at least half of whom are seniors. ACE is funded through Legal Aid Ontario and is the first legal clinic in Canada to specialize in the legal problems of seniors. Read more at www.advocacycentreelderly.org

The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (O.N.P.E.A)
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the prevention of elder abuse and neglect. Read more at www.onpea.org

Healthy Ontario - Seniors Health
Healthy Ontario provides Ontarians with trusted health information, services, and advice for healthier living. Read more at www.healthyontario.com

Health Canada - Seniors
Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. Health Canada is committed to improving the lives of all of Canada's people and to making this country's population among the healthiest in the world as measured by longevity, lifestyle, and effective use of the public health care system.
Read more at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration - Ontario Seniors' Secretaria
The Ontario Seniors' Secretaria works to improve the quality of life for Ontario's seniors by:

Undertaking and influencing policy initiatives for seniors with a multi-ministry focus and make value-added contributions to policy activities in other ministries
Developing and supporting public education efforts about the programs and services to which seniors are entitled, healthy aging/lifestyles, and the ongoing contributions Ontario seniors make to families, communities, and country
Maintaining a close working relationship with Ontario's seven largest seniors organizations, and partnering with them on both policy and public education initiatives. Read more at www.culture.gov.on.ca/seniors