An important subject, down to the last cent…
Written by Dominique Houle on 15/06/11
Photo by pikchurz on Flickr
Unexplained withdrawals by a person accompanying the elderly person; coercing an elderly person into signing a document (i.e. contracts, wills); negotiating an elderly person’s cheques without authorization; stealing or misusing an elderly person’s money or possessions; forging an elderly person’s signature; money theft through electronics methods (ex. Internet, debit/credit machine) (RCMP – GRC). If you’re thinking that these examples are forms of economic abuse against elders, you’re right on! In fact, approximately 7% of older adults report some form of emotional and financial abuse (RCMP – GRC).
Financial abuse, fraud or economic abuse is a crime of which many are unfortunately victims in Canada, and a considerable number of those victims are elders. Nevertheless, even if one cannot manage his or her finances alone anymore or is not as savvy with the Internet, nothing should justify anyone becoming a victim of crime, and definitely not our age.
Today, June 15th, is the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about elder abuse because it is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. So what do you say, isn’t a safe and caring society for everyone (no matter their age) worth it?
Links
NICEnet.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada: Financial Abuse of Older Adults
RCMP – GRC: Elder Abuse
