Elder abuse is violence, mistreatment or neglect towards older adults. The abuse often comes from individuals in situations of power or trust (spouse, children, other family members, caregivers, service providers). It can also come from other individuals. The abuse can occur in either private residences or outside the home.
Elder abuse is never acceptable. If you or someone you know are being abused, report it to the police.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is committed to the well-being and safety of seniors in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
Related Pages
Forms and Signs of Elder Abuse
Economic/financial abuse
- Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice
- Coercing an elderly person into signing a document (i.e. contracts, wills)
- Negotiating an elderly person’s cheques without authorization
- Stealing or misusing an elderly person’s money or possessions
- Forging an elderly person’s signature
- Misuse of power of attorney
Institutional abuse
In some cases, a facility’s policies may be inappropriate for meeting an elderly person’s needs. Some institutions may operate to meet a personal or financial goal that conflicts with meeting residents’ needs.
- Overcrowded, substandard and/or unsanitary living environments
- Inadequate care and nutrition
- Aggressive / inappropriate staff–client relations
- Use of chemical and physical restraints to exert control over the elderly
Neglect (Self or by others)
- Unkempt appearance
- Broken glasses
- Lack of appropriate clothing
- Lack of eyewear, hearing aid, dentures and other necessities
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Poor personal hygiene
- Untreated sores
- Hazardous or unsafe living condition or arrangements (dirt, fleas, lice, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell)
Physical abuse
- Untreated or unexplainable injuries in various stages of healing
- Limb and skull fractures
- Bruises, sores, cuts, punctures or sprains
- Internal injuries/bleeding
- Dislocations
- Black eyes
- Welts and bondage marks (signs of being restrained)
Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Changes in behavior (emotional upset/agitation resulting in sucking, biting, rocking)
- Withdrawn
- Non-responsive
- Symptoms usually attributed to dementia (e.g., sucking, biting, rocking)
Sexual abuse and exploitation
- Venereal disease
- Genital infections
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
- Vaginal or anal bleeding
- Bruising around the breasts or genital area
Spiritual abuse
- Restricted or loss of spiritual practices, customs, traditions
Violation of rights
- Restricted liberty, rights to privacy, access to information, or available community supports
What To Do If You're Being Abused
If you’re being abused, you should know:
- you do not deserve to be abused
- you are not to blame for the abuse
- you have a right to live without fear
- you have the right to a safe, healthy environment and healthy relationships
- abuse often gets worse over time
- you have the right to control your own life and make your own decisions
- you are not alone – others have experienced abuse and many have found ways to deal with these situations
You may or may not want to leave the situation or take action, but it is important to know your options and that help is available. To seek help, you should:
- tell someone you trust what is happening to you
- ask others for help if you need it
- report it to police
- emergencies: 9-1-1
- non-emergencies: (705) 949-6300
- make a safety plan in case you have to leave quickly
Safety Planning Checklist
You may want to consider putting together an emergency kit with:
- emergency phone numbers written out and stored in a safe place
- emergency money (e.g. for a taxi, hotel or payphone)
- extra clothing
- a list of medications, name and phone number of pharmacy, and at least three days’ worth of medications
- glasses, hearing aids and other assistive devices such as cane, walker or wheelchair
- a safe place to go in the event of an emergency (both in and outside your home)
- an escape route from your home
- keys for your home, car, and safety deposit box
- copies of relevant documents, including:
- identification (e.g. birth certificate)
- marriage certificate or record of common-law relationship
- notice of assessment from most recent income tax return
- cheque books and credit cards
- lease, rental agreement, or house deed
- bank book and recent statements
- health card
- Social Insurance Number
- passport
- immigration papers
What To Do If You Suspect Someone is Being Abused
Call the police if you have immediate concerns about an older adult’s safety.
You must report abuse when the victim lives in a retirement home or a long-term care home in Ontario. Learn more about how to report abuse from Community Legal Education Ontario or visit the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority website.
You can support an older person at risk by:
- recognizing the warning signs of abuse
- talking to the older adult and expressing your concerns
- checking out the situation and finding out how you can help
Ask the person:
- how they’re doing
- if they’re having any trouble at home or in other ways
- if there is someone you can put them in touch with who may be able to help
- how else they would like to be helped
- what you can do
Remember that keeping lines of communication open and breaking isolation can be vital.
If an older adult tells you that they’re being abused:
- be patient – listen carefully and don’t jump to conclusions
- believe them – do not question what they are telling you. You may be the very first person who has ever been entrusted with this information. It may be hard to understand what is going on, especially if the perpetrator is a nice person to you or someone you know
- do not judge them – do not express pity or tell them what to do. Respect their decisions even when you don`t agree. Tell them you care about them and offer them a level of support that you feel comfortable providing and know that you can provide on an ongoing basis. Do not promise them things you know you cannot do or are not comfortable doing
- understand that making efforts to change an abusive relationship is extremely difficult – a person who is being abused can be very afraid and not certain what to do. It can take a very long time for people to decide to make a change in their lives, to reach out for help or to even talk about their situation
- do not deny what is going on – if you choose to deny what is going on or not to listen to a person, this will serve to isolate the person who is being abused even further
- do not confront the perpetrator yourself – this could put you and/or the person who is being abused in trouble
- educate yourself on resources available – learn about safety planning and call your local community information centre, community care access centre, community support agency; talk to your own doctor or lawyer; or search on the Internet for resources and information
- encourage them to seek help – offer to help them find the right place to turn to and local resources, if this is something you are prepared and able to do
Videos
Downloadable Resource
Seniors' Guidebook to Safety and Security
Sources
Ontario.ca
