Elder abuse in any form is wrong. Unfortunately, some seniors suffer from abuse and neglect, sometimes from caregivers or family members. Abuse can take many forms, such as physical, sexual, emotional, financial, or spiritual.

Neglect and self-neglect are also forms of abuse. Self-neglect happens when a senior lives in a way that puts his or her own health, safety, or well-being at risk.

Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 9-1-1 or call the emergency number listed in the front of your phone book.

In non-emergency situations, there are many organizations that can help abused or neglected seniors or their friends and family get help and protection. See:

• Where to Get Help

Information Kits

The Government of B.C. has developed an Information Kit to help older adults learn how to prevent abuse, recognize abuse when it happens, know how to respond and know where they can find assistance. These resources can also be used by organizations to host workshops or seminars to increase awareness about elder abuse in their communities.

You can download copies of the brochures in English, Traditional Chinese or Punjabi:

English

1. Elder Abuse: It's Time to Face the Reality (Government of Canada brochure PDF)
2. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
3. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
4. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
5. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

For information included in the sixth brochure, you can visit the InvestRight Be Fraud Aware website:

• Be Fraud Aware

Four of the brochures are also available for download as fact sheets:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

Traditional Chinese

Brochures:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

Fact sheets:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

Punjabi

Brochures:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

Fact sheets:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF)

Together to Reduce Elder Abuse – B.C.’s Strategy (TREA Strategy)

The TREA Strategy is a challenge to all British Columbians to work together to increase our awareness, and to prevent, identify and respond to elder abuse in all its forms. Together, our actions will support seniors and respect their dignity and independence.  The goal is to bring about a societal and attitudinal shift and ultimately reduce elder abuse in our communities.

• Download a copy of Together to Reduce Elder Abuse – B.C.’s Strategy.