Let’s Talk About Abuse

Let’s Talk About Abuse

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Local residents learned about what abuse looks like and what they can do when neglect or abuse is happening to an older adult in their lives at the ‘It’s Not Right! Neighbours, Friends & Families’ for older adults free interactive video presentation at the Senior Citizens Sunshine Club of Vegreville on January 22.

Loretta Kroeker, Rural Elder Abuse Prevention (REAP) Coordinator Facilitator for ‘It’s Not Right Neighbours, Friends & Families Mental Health First Aid for Seniors’ gave the presentation which was sponsored by the REAP Coalition, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Vegreville and District and Town of Vegreville.

Kroeker told the audience people can change the world with their power, and the smallest action they do has an impact of some kind. “Abuse is feeling unsafe. Everyone has a right to be safe and free from abuse and neglect. The types of abuse are: emotional, financial, physical, medical, sexual, spiritual, and neglect. We have a shared responsibility to create safe and healthy communities.

Left-to-right) Loretta Kroeker, Rural Elder Abuse Prevention (REAP) Coordinator Facilitator for ‘It’s Not Right Neighbours, Friends & Families Mental Health First Aid for Seniors and Lisa Topilko, Community Programmer for FCSS for Adults and Seniors.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

Abuse is usually done by the family or caregivers. It is abuse when a person uses power or influence to take advantage of, or to control the older adult. It can make the person experiencing it feel small, alone, and powerless. Neglect of older adults who cannot manage on their own is also abuse. Isolated can sometimes trigger abuse.

Ageism is attitudes and beliefs we have about people at certain ages which can lead to abuse and 6 in 10 seniors say they have been treated unfairly/differently because of their age. It could mean adult children making all the decisions for their parents when the parents are capable of doing this for themselves.”

Kroeker added, “We shouldn’t try to fix the abuse of another person but instead we need to be helpful and supported. The goal is to open the door to support. Don’t jump to conclusions.Let them talk about what’s happening, use both safety and respectful approaches from a place of genuine care and concern. Ask the person what you can do to help and only call an emergency number if it is a dangerous situation. Helpful things to tell the person are I believe you, it’s not your fault, I’m worried about your safety, and I will support you and your decisions. People are being an abuser if the person they are caring for is afraid of them, if they are making all the decisions, if they think they always know what is best for the older adult.

She concluded by saying, “If you are being abused, tell someone you trust. You are the expert in your own life and the best person to decide what you can do to set limits and to increase your safety.”

Citizens who attended were treated to a free lunch prepared by Sunshine Café Chef Dwayne Hlady and some of his crew, and cookies baked by Lisa Topilko, Community Programmer for FCSS for Adults and Seniors.