News Release: Data show incidents of elder abuse are increasing in B.C.
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and an opportunity to raise awareness of increasing reports of abuse and neglect of older adults in B.C.
Elder abuse can take many forms, including financial, physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or other and can include mistreatment, neglect and self-neglect. It may be perpetrated by family members, friends, neighbours, caregivers or commercial vendors.
“Data show that reports of most types of elder abuse made to designated agencies, police and seniors’ organizations have been steadily increasing for several years as the population of older adults grows. I regularly hear heartbreaking stories from seniors and loved ones about older people being abused,” said Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate. “Many people are reluctant or embarrassed to report elder abuse, so we know there are more incidents taking place than are shown in the data.”
Financial abuse is one of the most commonly reported forms of elder abuse, and it is often committed by a stranger engaged in frauds and scams using increasingly sophisticated technology. It’s important to stay informed of emerging scams to help protect vulnerable people in our province.