Like other forms of family violence, abuse of older adults is often cloaked in silence. Disclosing abuse is terrifying but keeping it hidden permits cruelty and neglect to thrive. Too often the abuse and neglect of older adults is not readily identified by service providers, community or family members.

Unlike children who leave home to attend school, older adults may remain or be confined to a place where mistreatment goes undetected. Many older adults may believe that abuse by a caregiver is their fault and are ashamed to disclose what is happening to them.

Whether you are being abused or are an “outsider” afraid to “pry” into the affairs of others, there are safe places to turn that will support you in your disclosure.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 15, 2009— The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the launch of a national awareness campaign on elder abuse, as well as a Federal Elder Abuse Initiative call for proposals. Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the announcement of these initiatives builds upon the Government of Canada’s work to improve the lives of seniors.

“Seniors from all walks of life are vulnerable to elder abuse, and it’s happening in communities across Canada,” said Minister Finley. “This national advertising campaign and call for proposals highlight our government’s commitment to raising awareness as a means of combating the abuse of older adults.”

According to recent Government of Canada public opinion research on elder abuse, 96 percent of Canadians think most of the abuse experienced by older adults is hidden or goes undetected. It is estimated that between four and 10 percent of seniors – about 345,000 older people – in Canada experience some kind of abuse.

“As a society that honours its seniors, we cannot and must not tolerate elder abuse,” said Minister LeBreton. “That is why our government is collaborating with provinces and territories, professional associations and non-governmental organizations to combat elder abuse and ensure that the quality of life of seniors is not diminished by abuse of any kind.”

 The national advertising campaign, entitled Elder Abuse – It’s Time To Face The Reality, focuses  on creating awareness of elder abuse and its many forms: physical, financial, psychological and sexual. The campaign includes television, Internet and print advertisements. The campaign will run from June 15, 2009 until early July and again later this year. For more information on the campaign, and to view the television advertisement visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

The call for proposals under the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative will be open from June 15, 2009 to July 24, 2009. The call invites professional associations to apply for funding to adapt, customize and disseminate elder abuse materials for use throughout their organizations. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the call for proposals will fund up to 10 national and Quebec professional associations. The maximum funding is $200,000 per project, over 24 months. To learn more about the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative call for proposals or to apply for funding, visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recently released the February 2010 Elder Abuse E-Bulletin.

This edition of the Elder Abuse E-Bulletin focuses on elder abuse screening and assessment. The abuse and neglect of older adults is a serious and prevalent problem that is often not readily identified by service providers, community or family members. This e-bulletin provides an overview of screening and assessment issues and highlights new research and tools that aim to increase elder abuse detection, intervention and prevention.

Also included in the Bulletin are New Developments and Promising Approaches; Updates from Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments; a Resource Corner; Key Dates and Events; and current Research.

The Elder Abuse E-Bulletin can be viewed online at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ea-ma/EB/eb-Feb-2010-eng.php or email ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca for assistance.

The next Elder Abuse E-bulletin in June 2010 will focus on using social media in elder abuse prevention.

The Elder Abuse E-bulletin is a quarterly e-newsletter for those interested in addressing and preventing the abuse of older adults in Canada. It is produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), as part of its role under the Government of Canadas Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI).

For more information on the Government of Canada’s elder abuse initiatives, visit seniors.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). For people using a teletypewriter device (TTY), call 1-800-926-9105.