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Senior Abuse
What is Senior Abuse?
Senior abuse is defined by the
World Health Organization as a single or repeated act, or
lack of action, occurring within a relationship where there is an
expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older
person. |
Types of Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Physical Abuse •
Emotional Abuse • Sexual Abuse
• Neglect
Signs of Financial Abuse
- Large amounts of money are missing from
bank account.
- Cheques have suspicious looking
signatures.
- Bank statements are no longer being sent
to the senior's home.
- Senior's belongings are missing.
- Senior cannot account for missing money,
money transfers, or signing certain financial papers.
- Senior is asked to sign legal papers
without understanding what they are for or the details of
the document.
- Senior is not allowed to talk with others
or make decisions for themselves.
Senior is no longer able to meet financial obligations.
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Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is an intentional act of violence or
mistreatment of a senior resulting in
physical discomfort. Physical abuse involves the use
of unwanted physical or chemical restraints. Examples
include slapping, pinching, intentionally over or under
medicating, force feeding, or withholding physical
necessities.
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Signs of Physical Abuse
Signs of physical abuse include: unexplained or inconsistent
explanations for bruises, marks, rope burns, and other signs
of harm. Wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the
season or weather may also be a sign of physical abuse.
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Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is when a person humiliates, isolates,
frightens, or takes advantage of another person. This type
of abuse reduces a person's dignity and self-esteem and is
often hard to detect because there are no physical signs of
the abuse. |
Signs of Emotional Abuse
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeps excessively.
- Withdrawn from family and friends.
- States feelings of hopelessness and
helplessness.
- Unexplained fearfulness.
- Shows signs of low self-esteem.
- Unexplained tearfulness.
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Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual behaviour directed
at a person without their consent or who is
unable to give consent. Some examples of
unwanted sexual behaviours include rape, sexual
harassment, fondling a confused person, exposing one's
self, and/or inappropriate sexual comments.
|
Signs of Sexual Abuse
- Senior has developed a genital
infection.
- Senior is experiencing pain in
the genital area.
- Senior has signs of internal
injuries.
- Senior makes inappropriate sexual
comments.
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Neglect
Neglect is the
withholding of basic and essential human
needs such as food, water, housing, medical
attention, and/or social interaction . Neglect can
be broken down into
active and passive neglect.
Active neglect is the intentional failure of
a caregiver to provide someone with basic need.
Passive neglect is the unintentional act
where the caregiver cannot provide basic need. This
can be a result of lack of knowledge, lack of
financial means, or lack of caring ability.
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Signs of Neglect
- Senior appears malnourished
or dehydrated.
- Senior is wrongly dressed, or
appears unkempt (not shaven, hair is messy,
appears to have not showered).
- Senior's home is dirty and
unkempt.
- Senior's home smells of urine
or feces.
- Senior lacks proper safety
equipment either for themselves or for their
home.
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What to do if You Think
Someone is Being Abused?
Believe them
Acknowledge what the
person is telling you.Do not judge the person
Listen to what they have to tell you. Let them
know you care and offer support.
Be Understanding
Know
that it is difficult for the person being abused
to try and change their relationship.
Encourage Them
Inform
them of community resources they can use and
encourage them to get help.
Avoid Confrontation
Do
not confront the abuser because this could put
you or the person being abused in danger.
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How to Prevent
Abuse?
- Educate yourself about
abuse.
- Stay active, go out with
friends, join a gym.
- Have cheques directly
deposited into your account.
- Have bills paid
automatically from your account.
- Who Can Help?
Information and
Support Links to Help Seniors
Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse is dedicated to the prevention
of elder abuse and neglect through education
training and advocacy.
Leeds and Grenville Interval House
Call (613) 342-8815/ 1-800-267-4409.
Interval house is a community and social
services program that provides support,
protection, and shelter to abused women and
their children.
Ontario Seniors' Secretariat works
to improve the lives of Ontario seniors by
developing polices and programs.
Call to
Report Elder Abuse
Emergency – 911
City of Brockville Police – (613) 342-0127
Gananoque Police – (613) 382- 4422
OPP- 1-888-310-1122
Smiths Falls – (613) 284-4500
Prescott Police – (613) 925-4221
Perth Police – (613) 267-2626
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