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The June Edition | June 15, 2017
Katherine Peters
President & CEO

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:
  1. See it – Learn about different types of abuse so you can recognize the warning signs.
  2. Name it – Overcome your possible hesitation and talk to someone you trust about the facts of what you saw.
  3. 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

About World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was developed & launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). Since then the event is held on June 15 annually. 
WEAAD involves activities to bring greater recognition of mistreatment of older adults wherever they live throughout the world, and to highlight the need for appropriate action. It is intended to give abuse and neglect of older adults a global relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the year and for years to come.

What do we mean by abuse of older adults?
Abuse of older adults refers to actions that harm an older person or puts at risk the person's health or welfare. Abuse of older adults is also known as senior abuse or elder abuse. According to the World Health Organization, abuse and neglect of older adults can be a single or a repeated act. It can occur in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust or where a person is in a position of power or authority.
Abuse is a violation of human rights
Violations of rights means ignoring older adults' entitlement to basic rights and freedoms that other adults often take for granted. Violation of rights may include restricting visitors, or restricting the person's liberty, freedom, rights to privacy, and access to information or available community supports. Violation of rights can also include making decisions about the older adult's health, personal care, or finances without the person's consent (or where the person is not capable, the consent of his or her preferred or legally legitimate representative).
Types of abuse
Abuse can be physicalemotional and verbal, or even sexual. It often involves financial misconduct, with or without neglect. Older adults often experience more than one form of abuse and neglect. For example, they may be emotionally and financially abused, or emotionally and physically abused. Some older adults may be neglected and have their rights violated.
From the Prevent Elder Abuse Manitoba website.

Recipe of the Month: Carrot & Edamame Salad

You know you should be eating more salads because they're good for you -- but you want something a little different to make your plate that much more exciting!
Enter this delightful Carrot and Edamame Salad. Combining two flavorful vegetables with an Asian-style dressing, you'll want to enjoy this salad every day of the week.

Video: About Elder Abuse

Together, we can prevent the abuse of older Manitobans! 
This important video provides a comprehensive overview about elder abuse and how World Elder Abuse Awareness Day came into fruition.

Click here to watch the video now

Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse

Sometimes signs of elder abuse are mistaken as a part of growing older or may look like other health conditions. For example, mental confusion, depression or anxiety resulting from abuse or neglect may look like dementia. People may not realize that sometimes older adults are experiencing frequent falls or have long-term pain because they are being abused or neglected.
The existence of any one or more of these indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse has occurred. Instead, treat them as signs that diligent attention or investigation is needed.
Behavioural Warning Signs:
The older adult may display one or more of the following behavioural characteristics:
  • Withdrawn
  • Confused or extremely forgetful
  • Depressed
  • Helpless or angry
  • Hesitant to talk freely
  • Frightened
  • Secretive
Isolation Warning Signs: 
  • The older adult is isolated or lonely with no visitors or relatives. Family members or caregiver isolate the individual, restricting the person's contact with others.
  • The older adult is not given the opportunity to speak freely or have contact with others without the caregiver being present.
Other Warning Signs: 
  • Unusual bank account activity, such as withdrawals from automatic teller machines when the individual cannot get to the bank.
  • Signatures on cheques and other documents that do not resemble the older adult's signature.
  • Checks or other documents signed when the person cannot write or understand what he or she is signing.
  • Lack of personal amenities, appropriate clothing and grooming items.
  • Numerous unpaid bills when someone else has been designated to pay the bills.
  • Change in spending patterns, such as buying items he or she doesn't need and can't use.
  • The appearance of a stranger who begins a new close relationship and offers to manage the elder's finances and assets

Prevent Elder Abuse

Joke of the Month

Retirement is the best thing that has happened to my brother-in-law.
"I never know what day of the week it is," he gloated. "All I know is, the day the big paper comes, I have to dress up and go to church!"
Comforts of Home - Care
P: 204.949.3234 | F: 204.949.9049 | E: info@cohcinc.com | W: ComfortsOfHomeCare.ca
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