Today (June 15) is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and a local agency working with seniors says there are ways you can prevent abuse from taking place, either as a friend or family member, or as a senior yourself.

Laurie Jacobs-Toews is the Community Development Services Manager with Community Links in Airdrie.  She says the most common types of elder abuse are physical abuse, psychological abuse and financial abuse.   She says it's just a matter of being open and having a safe place for seniors to come and talk.

"In regards to prevention, it's best to always make sure you're checking in with those seniors, those loved ones.  Calling or visiting regularly, offering to stay and help them out and make sure that you're just a presence in their lives.  Just making sure you're paying attention to what's happening with them.  For seniors themselves, they can do things to protect themselves.  For them it's about staying connected and not allowing themselves to become isolated, 'cause that's when you become at risk when you don't have those family supports."

Jacobs-Toews says you should make sure that seniors consult professional help if they have questions about their finances or legal affairs and to make sure they go to their doctors if there is any question about their health.

Statistics show that approximately 25 per cent of crimes against older adults are committed by a family member, but abusers can also be friends or health care providers.  In 2016, Alberta had well over 500,000 seniors and that number is expected to grow to over 950,000 by 2031 when one in five Albertans will be a senior.  Estimates are that one in ten seniors are victims of abuse.

Jacobs-Toews says if you notice a change in the way a senior acts or is taking care of themselves, there may be something else going on.  "Just being there for them and saying 'hey, I'm here to help, what can I do for you', then connecting with an agency like us or they can connect through the Seniors Advocate, just try to reach out to someone who can help."

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