der abuse is now talked about more often than it used to be AS PART of the Together Against Violence campaign, North Shore Community Services (NSCS) is featuring a series of columns on violence. The following is Part Four in a series of five. Question: Why are we hearing more about elder abuse nowa- days? Is it because people are liv- ing longer, and because there are just more seniors around? Answer: 11 could be that we are hearing more about abuse and mistreatment of older adults now partly because the population of ‘seniors is higher, but it is also true that in recent years, the issue of elder abuse is simply being talked about more often. Think back about 20 years when we first began hearing about wife assault and child abuse. Many of us had trouble believing that those ‘things really happened, and yet now ‘we ‘know that abuse has always occurred. Much of abuse of older people is an extension of family violence. That is, people who were with- standing violence as’ younger adults continue. to experience it as older adults. Abuse results from the misuse of power and control. Abusers ‘ often deliberately isolate their vic- tims from other people who might support and protect them. For some older adults the losses of aging contribute to this isola- tion. Family and friends: are lost “to (death and illness and some seniors experience frailties which make it difficult to stay involved in the community.. - ” ; Older. people - are. . attractive HELPS AT HAND targets because they often have property or other assets, and also have an assured monthly income. Financial abuse of seniors is the form of abuse most frequently reported. It usually involves emo- tional abuse and the threat or presence of physical force. In many cases, inheritors start de- manding what they perceive as their due. Physical abuse includes the use of physical and chemical restraints. These restraints are commonly used, often under prescription, both in care hospitals and in private homes. We have been told that elder abuse happens most often due to caregiver stress. This theory believes that the burdened and stressed caregiver of an older person loses patience with the elderly person, resulting in abuse of one kind or another. Many peopie who work with older adults disagree with this premise. Most serious acts of abuse are not random or impulsive. Secondly, elder abuse is often a continuation of abusive behavior and long-standing family issues. Remember that not all families are supportive and caring. People are not mistreated becatse they are dependent: on someone else for care or support; they are mistreated when the per- son they rely on misuses that trust. We hear rationalizations that say that the older person’s actions caused the abuse, or that the vic- tim needs the abuser and separa- tion would inflict more harm. Rather, we need to support and believe the victim, remove the abuser, and strengthen the family to live without abusive behavior. The best guarantee of security and safety for any person is the active involvement of many people in their life. Services to inform and help the older adult are scarce. In many instances, the abuse has worsened over a long period of time, and seniors need help and support to understand their rights and to change the situation. NSCS is currently sponsoring a provincial elder abuse education and prevention project that pro- vides information, referral and resources on abuse of the elderly. For more information, contact the Elder Abuse Resource Line at 985-3044. Help’s at Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxa- tion and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more information call NSCS at 985-7138. ay » 4 Entry level 5 spd., full logic 6 speaker stereo, multi-port fuel injection, double overhead cam engine & driver's airbag. + AVAILABLE OPTIONS * V6 Engine, leather interior & mag wheels. - REGENCY Sunday, November 21, 1993 -- North Shore News - 13 er} Br f AK EO as You are Innocent Until Proven Guilty. Do not plead guilty before consulting an experienced criminal lawyer. For more information call: 298-9000 Talking . iets 19 yes. experience in . 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