World elder abuse awareness day June 15

June 15, has been selected by The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) to give abuse and neglect of older persons a global relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the whole year and years to come.

"Purple" has been designated by INPEA as the offical colour to show support and awareness worldwide for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. At the very minimum, persons all over the world can participate in this day by wearing something the colour purple on June 15.

"Until the last quarter of the 20th century, abuse of the elderly remained a private matter, well hidden, but as many countries are to experience rapidly ageing populations (estimated

global population of those aged 60 years and older to more than double from 542 million to 1.2 billion from 1995)" it is believed abuse of the elderly is a problem likely to grow.

In Ontario, it is estimated that 4-10% of our seniors have experienced some sort of abuse ranging from physical (violence or rough treatment), to psychological (emotional, confinement, verbal assault, intimidation) to sexual to financial (misuse of the elder's funds and assets without that persons consent or knowledge) to neglect (withholding of basic necessities or care denying food/water, denying visits from family or friends isolation). Other types of elder abuse that have been discovered are by medication and spiritual methods. Most victims are mentally competent and do not require constant care contrary to common beliefs and the "abuser" is someone that the victim is usually dependent on in some way. An abuser can be a family member, friends or staff someone in position of authority or trust.

If you suspect an elderly person is a subject of abuse immediately contact the OPP at (911 in an emergency) or 1888-310-1122 (24 hr toll free), or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222Tips (8477).

Nottawasaga OPP is asking that our community wear something Purple to create awareness of this initiative to spread the word and encourage others to get involved to putting an end to elder abuse.