AS WE AGE Seniors’ society a shines spotlight on elder abuse

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Elder abuse is an issue in NewWestminster and around the world.

Alison Silgardo, CEO of the Seniors Services Society, was in NewWestminster city council chambers on June 12 to accept the city’s proclamation of June 15 asWorld Elder Abuse

Awareness Day.

“It is the day that is recognized globally to acknowledge the significance of elder abuse as a public health and a human rights issue,” she said. “As we age, we often face stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination because of age.”

Silgardo said that often erodes older adults’ confidence and serves as a justification for abuse

“The Ministry of Health in B.C. reports that as many as 10 per cent of B C seniors will experience some form of abuse in their later years,” she said “And one out of 12 seniors will experience financial abuse by close family members and trusted friends ”

Silgardo spoke on behalf of the NewWest-based Seniors Services Society of B C , as well as the New Westminster Community Response Network, which works to raise awareness about elder abuse issues

Silgardo shared the story of “Elizabeth” as an example of the types of situations seen by folks at the Seniors Services Society.

“Elizabeth was referred to us a few weeks ago to help with housing,” she said. “She’s 72 years old and has lived with her daughter and son-in-law for just over six years. Her daughter persuaded her to sign a power of attorney, and following that she took away her ID and access to bank accounts and claimed that she was no longer capable of making and managing her own affairs.”

Silgardo said Elizabeth was “fortunately” taken to hospital for some blood tests, and while there, she had some cognitive testing done.

“The results showed that without a doubt, Elizabeth was totally capable of managing her affairs and showed no signs of dementia or deterioration,” she told council. “Elizabeth did not want to go back home and reached out She was sent to a safe house where, with the help of workers and police, she was able to get back her ID and her bank account, and is now finding a place to live independently Elizabeth was being financially, psychologically and physically abused by her daughter and son-in-law”

Noting that NewWestminster is an age-friendly city, Silgardo said the society is grateful for the sup- port it receives from the city and the community.

“However, elder abuse is alive and well, and it shows no signs of slowing down,” she said “ThisWorld Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we would like to ask for your help to let us know what’s working and what is not working in our city with regards to elder abuse.What else can we do together to shape an environment that does not tolerate elder abuse? And how can we make elder abuse prevention a priority to educate everyone in NewWest to learn and recognize the signs?”

The City of NewWestminster’s proclamation says abuse of older adults is “an ever-increasing issue in our society that crosses all cultures and socio-economic boundaries ”

If You Need Help

Anyone who is in an emergency situation should call 911. Anyone wishing to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment can call the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) at 1-866-437-1940

Remembrances

Obituaries

Obituaries

MATOUSEK, Alois (Alan) Josef

It is wth great sadness we announce the passing of Alois (Alan) Josef Matousek A os s survived by his loving daughter Katherina, her husband Vince and grandsons and spouses Joseph and Amanda Taylor and Benjamin Taylor and A yssa Hami tonMessenger

Alan was born in 1934 in Bechary, a smal town in the Czech Repub ic A ois, Kather na and h s wife of nearly 70 years Helena, mmigrated to Canada in 1968 leaving everything beh nd to start a new ife in the r beloved New Westm nster Searching for a better lfe in Canada than communist Czechosovaka, Alan worked hard to make sure his fam ly had everyth ng they needed Alan was a trained metalurgst and even worked on the Sputnk space program n the 50’s and 60’s He transferred those ski ls to both Bart e and G bson’s and then to Singer Va ve

In the early 80’s, he fu fil ed h s Canadian entrepreneur al dream by open ng the very wel known and loved He en’s De i, in Sapperton For almost 20 years, both A an and He en treated the customers to great food - especia ly the soup!great stor es and created last ng fr endships that he cherished for the rest of his life

They retired to a qu et l fe and were the best grandparents anyone cou d ever ask for

He will missed very much

BOHART, Richard Harry and Helen Louise (Gullback)

It s with heavy hearts that the Bohart and Gi bert famil es announce the passing of Dick (February 2022) and Louise (March 2021), longtime res dents of Vancouver and Burnaby

Devoted to each other for 60 years, they leave Dick’s s ster Peggy and Lou se’s sister Karin, three generat ons of n eces and nephews, and some very good friends with many endear ng memor es

A gathering of fami y and friends was he d last summer after an nterment ceremony at Pac fic Her tage Cemetery in Burnaby, BC

Dick and Louise wil be forever in our thoughts and n our hearts

604-230-0627

A-1

HanDyperson

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