ELDER ABUSE.....the hidden crime!

Any action by a friend family member, neighbour or caregiver which hurts a Senior is called Elder Abuse. People often do not see the abuse and neglect of older adults. Or they fail to report it to the police. Physical evidence of Elder abuse is often missed because it is mistaken for symptoms of other medical conditions. Many older adults also believe that abuse by a relative is a "family problem" and are ashamed to tell someone that a family member is being abusive or neglectful.

 

Some signs of Elder Abuse are: depression, fear, anxiety or passivity unexplained physical injuries dehydration or lack of food poor hygiene, urine sores or bed sores over-sedation unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts

Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15th. each year. Please wear PURPLE that day to show your support.

"Response to Elder Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition in Renfrew County" (REAPAC) is a local committee working together to provide public awareness and education to the community on the issue of Elder Abuse.

REAPAC - Response to Elder Abuse, Prevention & Awareness Coalition, Renfrew County.

What Do Seniors Want?

Results of a Survey conducted - May to September 2006

The results of this survey have been edited to accomodate website space requirements. Every effort has been made to maintaine the integrity of the survey. To view this survey in detail please contact:

Kim Sheppard - 613-732-1159 ksheppard@alzheimerott.org

Purpose of the Survey

What do seniors living in Renfrew County truly want or need in their life to ensure life in the present and 5 years from now has quality and fulfullment?

• average age of elders living in both rural/town ranged from 60-84years.
• 9 persons surveyed aged 85 and older were living in rural Renfrew County.
• 70% of seniors living in rural areas were between 60-85 and were in their own home or appartment.
• between the ages of 60-69 seniors are living with their spouse in their own homes.
• between the ages of 70-84 the balance shifts and seniors are living alone.
• the 85 and older population live alone or with family in rural and small town Renfrew County.

Personal Care Requirements:

• 70-85+ group received the most personal care assistance, provided by spouse or family.
• 85+ group primarily received help from a Health Care Worker or friend.
• 70-80 age group required the most assistance with household chores.
• 70-80 age group are the highest consumers of paid help for their requirements.
• 84+ group indicates that spouses are no longer available for assistance with care.
• Housekeeping is the greatest need, followed by yard & outside maintenance.
• Other areas of predominant need was: shopping, banking, & bill payments.

Driving and Transportation:

• majority of respondants interviewd drove a vehicle.
• age breakdown: 0-59 approx.40%, 60-69 approx. 90%, 70-84 approx.75%, 85-100 less than 10% drive.
• for those who no longer drove, the main source of transportation in the 70-84 age group were family and friends.
• the use of volunteer drivers was significant as well in the 70-84 age group.
• volunteer drivers was not significant in the 85+ age group.

Managing Finances:

• the majority of seniors surveyed managed their own finances.
• for those seniors who did not manage their own money; spouses and family played a key role.
• out of approx. 317 seniors (between the ages of 59-85) surveyed, 273 managed their own money.
• 26 seniors stated that they required help managing their money.
• 16 seniors stated that someone else managed their money.

Social and Leisure Activities:

• data collected indicated that spending time with family and friends was the most significant activity seniors directed their time to.
• as age groups got older the focus was on church and it's related functions.
• Question: What are your social leisure activities centered around? 589 seniors surveyed. (162) family, (180) friends, (110) Church, (102) Community, (37) Other.
• Question: What social activities do you participate in? 422 seniors surveyed. (40)Volunteering, (66)Gardening, (136)Outdoor, (180)Indoor.

What things are Important to Seniors Now?

• 155 Seniors Surveyed. (60)family and children, (21)travel and independence, (47)health and family, (27)keeping active.

Concluding Remarks:

REAPAC's steering committee is more than willing to share the results of this survey in detail, with whomever requests them but in doing so it hopes that a more concentreated /focused study could be done on some of the significant findings that surfaced and wishes acknowledgment of the initial work and finding done by this group.

In Renfrew County the Emergency number for Elder Abuse is 

1-800-363-7222  for immediate emotional support & information.

You will be connected to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital -

Regional Assault Care Program where specially trained Registered Nurses

can be reached 24 hours a day.