Message from the President
Greetings friend, and welcome to the June Comfort Connection!
Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). It is a day that has special meaning to me and my family because of the following story.
In April 2007, just before Easter, my mom was walking home from the grocery store. She was 77 years old and had bought some items to prepare for the upcoming Easter family dinner.
There was a knock at the door. Two men strangled her, pushed her down the stairs, and then beat her with the butt end of a rifle. They took $30.00 from her purse and left her to die.
Her injuries were numerous, including a broken leg, broken bones and swelling in her face and head. She was unconscious for days. It was an extremely difficult time for our family.
I was thankful to have the support of caregivers who worked for me! Such genuine care and help in a time where the emotions ran so high I couldn’t even think straight.
Two men. Men who saw an easy target, a vulnerable white-haired senior. They thought they had an easy score. Abuse is not always this easy to identify and spot. What can you do if you suspect something is not right with an older adult you know? It’s really much simpler than you might think to make a difference in this area.
WEAAD and the It’s Not Right campaign would like to give you 3 tools to use when you suspect elder abuse. Here they are:
- See it – Learn about different types of abuse so you can recognize the warning signs.
- Name it – Overcome your possible hesitation and talk to someone you trust about the facts of what you saw.
- Check it – Ask questions and talk to the person you think is being abused. Let them know you are worried about them and discover ways you can help.
If you would like to learn more about this important topic, I can come out and do a full presentation for a group you may be part of. Just respond to this newsletter for more info. Additionally, here are some resources that may be able to help:
- Info or Crisis Lines / Seniors’ Abuse Lines / Legal Advice Lines
- Seniors’ Organizations
- Victim Services / Police / Domestic Violence
- Shelters / Crisis Accommodation Programs
- Seniors Canada Online: www.seniors.gc.ca
Thankfully, my mom has recovered really well. She is 87 and still sews quilts for charity, bakes for the church and goes for her walk every day. They have never caught the two men who did this.
You don’t have to be a hero, you just have to care.
Blessings,
Katherine
Katherine Peters
President & CEO