Often referred to as an invisible crime, elder abuse is well known among experts in the field, but the detrimental societal issue unfortunately remains largely under the public’s radar, council heard recently.
Shoshannah Brechtel, project lead for Sundre’s coordinated community response (CCR) for elder abuse, presented council with an update on the initiative during the Oct. 22 meeting.
“I’ll give you a new lens to view our responsibility to community through in light of this issue, as well as a greater understanding of the issue itself, and then how we’re beginning to address it in Sundre,” said Brechtel.
She was accompanied by Todd MacDonald, a sitting member of the CCR committee, which began to develop the local program nearly two years ago.
In 2010, the provincial government launched a collective action strategy to address elder abuse throughout Alberta. One of the goals was to develop and establish coordinated community responses, she said.
Statistics indicate an aging population. With more Albertans over the age of 65 than people aged zero to 14, the number of seniors in the province is projected to double by 2032. Additionally, studies suggest that 10 per cent of seniors will experience some form of elder abuse, she said.
“Unfortunately, one out of 23 cases of abuse are reported, leaving 22 unreported,” she said.
“Which is why we often call it the invisible crime.”
Bringing the issue down to the local level, she said Sundre is home to a substantial senior population. According to Statistics Canada, the percentage is 23.6, which is 11 per cent over the provincial average, she added.
“Experts understand the severity, the scope and the extent of the issue that we’re up against, but the public is largely unfamiliar,” she said.
“The topic of elder abuse does not hold a prominent place at this point on the national public agenda, nor on public discourse.”
Elder abuse is defined as action — or inaction — inflicted by those in positions of trust, power or authority that jeopardizes the health and well-being of a senior. Types of abuse include financial, physical, sexual, spiritual, psychological, emotional, as well as neglect, she said.
“I just want to home in on the other type of abuse: systemic abuse,” she said, adding this represents maltreatment of a senior at a societal level.
“It happens when government and/or institutional policies, practices, regulations or procedures, often rooted in what we call ageism, facilitates or creates harmful situations.”
She said prevalent ageist attitudes permeate public perception, leaving some 63 per cent of seniors who report being treated unfairly or differently because of their age and 79 per cent who feel seen as less important.
Warning signs do not automatically mean abuse is happening, but she said telltale indications are important for everyone in the community to be able to recognize so they can ask questions.
“The real question is, do you know where to turn, or who to call for help or referral if you were to identify something? Does your staff know how to identify a warning sign?”
Part of the equation involves confronting tropes, she said.
“We don’t want to buy into the stereotype that it only happens to dependent, frail elderly people. It can happen to fully functioning capable older adults,” she said, adding people in such situations are usually overwhelmed by shame and thus reluctant to let anyone know.
Local service providers have vast insight in many ways that elder abuse is happening in the community, she said.
“We’re working together to find solutions,” she said.
“We want to guide people to more productive and useful ways of thinking so that we can actually move towards societal and cultural change, not just individualistic Band-Aids.”
The Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society, with its knowledge on the increasing needs of seniors, has played a key role and helped get the process started by successfully applying for a grant, she said.
Thirty-one communities received one to three years of funding.
“Greenwood Neighbourhood Place was granted two years.”
The primary outcomes are to coordinate and develop a sustainable response model, establish a response plan, build a team, develop a structure, implement a plan, and provide Sundre with a central point of contact for help, she said.
“As a group, we’ve come to realize that sustainability is essential for us to create any social or cultural change to address this issue.”
It involves integrating and building connections and creating networks of professionals and community to support the issue, she said, adding this has already started through the local initiative.
Additionally, local government, in this case council, also has an important foundational role to play, she said. Official proclamations such as the annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June is one way to lift the fog so the public has a better understanding of the issue, she added.
“Due to the sheer number of older adults in Sundre, we already are a leader across the province. Right now, we have the opportunity to be a leader in Alberta, a rural model, showing what a true connected and integrated community means.”
Built from the roots up, the program requires people throughout the community working together, she said.
“Everyone has the right to be safe and free from abuse and neglect,” she said, adding, “We have a shared responsibility to create a safe, vibrant and healthy community.”
Mayor Terry Leslie said council wants to do its share and expressed appreciation for her contribution to this effort.
To see Brechtel’s PowerPoint presentation, visit the Town of Sundre’s updated website, www.sundre.com, and find the Oct. 22 meeting’s agenda by clicking on “Council” under the “Your Government” tab. Alternatively, contact GNP at 403-638-1011 for additional inquiries.
