Perceptual outlook of age is funny thing. Young people tend to see it as an inevitable overture to death, while seniors wear it with pride; considering it a time of flamboyant change, caprice, and wonder.
However sometimes illness, frailty or other conditions force the elderly into an assisted living residence. Though such a move takes away a lot of personal freedom, a quality facility still allows them the opportunity to make lifestyle choices, participate in fitness and other fun activities, and achieve a sense of fulfillment.
So you can imagine my horror when I read that two facilities run by Retirement Concepts, one in Victoria and the other in Williams Lake, B.C., were investigated for allegations of abuse and neglect. In fact, documents released under freedom of information revealed that Beacon Hill Villa in Victoria has violated the province’s care standards 12 times over five years.
Minister of Health George Abbot said complaints against senior’s homes in the province are common and he wants to be certain they are legitimate. But investigation reports dating back to 2002 detail a litany of incidents, including a resident dying after being found unattended in a wheelchair with the seatbelt around her neck; another went 11 days without a bath; and others were found sitting in darkened rooms at 1 a.m. because there weren’t enough staff members to put them to bed. (Macleans.ca, October 3, 2007)
Seniors’ advocates say our laws have a long way to catch up to the seriousness of the problem. In fact, Canada has no regulations covering abuse in retirement/assisted living residences, and therefore these types of problems will keep surfacing. Of course the majority of these places provide excellent care, but it’s the rogue residences which give cause of concern for family members.
So what exactly is abuse of older adults? The Public Health Agency of Canada calls it a “mistreatment by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care.” Different forms of abuse are most commonly grouped into four categories: Physical, psychological, financial and neglect. These can be caused by a spouse or family member, friend, paid caregiver, retirement residences, nursing homes, chronic care hospitals, or anyone you rely on for basic needs.
Generally, it’s hard to speculate on how widespread the problem is because of inconsistent findings across provinces or among social agencies in any one region, says the Department of Justice. Available information on prevalence is also likely understated because abused older adults are reluctant to identify themselves. They may be embarrassed, fear retaliation, suffer cognitive impairment, disability, physical frailty, or isolation.
Statistics Canada estimates as many as seven per cent of all elderly people are abused. And the Canadian Bar Association says BC seniors experience it at a rate of one in twelve.
There are three main ways I know of which provide support to seniors affected by abuse. A 24-hour, multilingual VictimLINK phone line (at 1.800.563.0808), provides immediate crisis support, no matter where you live in B.C.
You can also contact the Health Information Line at 1.800.465.4911 and ask for your local health unit. Or contact the BC Coalition to Eliminate the Abuse of Seniors at 1.866.437.1940. Their website is www.bcceas.ca.
Seniors, you are now in a season of great promise, where you display your true face of creativity, inner beauty and nature. But this time also races by faster than fun afternoon for a child. So don’t allow it to be spoiled by the ugly and often unreported crime of abuse. Take action now.
Posted by Jorg Mardian RHN, CPT 