Reports of elder abuse are becoming more common — but that's because more people are becoming aware of it and refusing to suffer in silence.
To help break the stigma, support workers like Linsday Jansen are providing public talks and outreach to get more information out there. She was at the Wetaskiwin Seniors Centre on Feb. 28 to help provide information on elder abuse. Funding for Jansen's work is provided by the nonprofit Alberta Elder Abuse Council.
"It's going to look like it's getting worse, but more people are coming forward, so it's really getting better," said Jansen. "It's becoming more normalized, so more people are reporting it and seeking out help."
Part of the difficulty in combating elder abuse, she noted, is often times the abusers are closely connected to the victim. Jansen said a common example of elder abuse is controlling finances or abuse of the power of attorney. In other cases, access to grandchildren is leveraged for something, such as money.
A third common example of elder abuse is an extended period of spousal abuse, as many elders today were raised on ideals such as preserving marriages. Both physical and emotional abuse have been reported in the past. In some cases, an elder may be prevented from leaving a home.
Jansen noted that in many cases, escaping abuse involves decoupling financial and emotional arrangements decades in the making. And every situation is unique, requiring a new approach to getting a person to safety.
"These can be extremely complicated," she said. "It can be a very long process to get somebody out of an abuse situation, especially if they have been together for a long time or they've become dependent on other people.
"I've never had the same case."
A number of supports are available. Jansen said people can reach out to get connected with counselling and financial coaching, as well as support in setting up separate bank accounts, legal documentation and living space.
People can report abuse anonymously through Crimestoppers, or directly to their local RCMP detachment. There is also the Alberta family violence line, which is available 24 hours a day in over 170 languages at 1-866-403-8000 and Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence at 1 866 403 8000.
Jansen added she is at Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services the first Wednesday of every month. She said she could be reached by phone or email through the FCSS office if anyone needs to reach out or find more information.
"I can help advocate for them, connect people to the community and help unravel the complexity of the abuse and offer support," she said. "Be that leaving the home, changing bank accounts or whatever they need.
"We have a safe space program through Alberta Elder Abuse Council, so if somebody is in an emergency situation they can leave for there."
