What is Elder abuse?

Elder abuse, or the abuse of older adults, is often defined as any act or omission that harms a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. The World Health Organization defines abuse of older adults as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person”. Elder abuse can take place in the home, in other residential settings, or in the community. It is estimated that between four and ten per cent of Ontario ’s seniors experience some type of abuse.

McGuinty Government Makes Historic Investment In Safer Communities for Seniors

June 2009

Ontario is taking steps to help eliminate elder abuse by providing, for the first time in the province’s history, annual operating funding for prevention initiatives.

The province is investing $900,000 annually to provide the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA) with long-term stability to better assist victims of elder abuse in communities across the province.  ONPEA delivers such services as the Seniors’ Safety Line, in partnership with the Assaulted Women’s Help Line, which offers support to victims of elder abuse 24 hours per day, seven days per week, in more than 150 languages.

This funding will bring the government’s total investment in elder abuse prevention since 2003 to more than $4.2 million.

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