A new, confidential toll-free number is now available throughout the Interior Health (IH) region, that will allow people to quickly and easily report the mistreatment of older adults.
Anyone within the IH area who has concerns regarding elder abuse can call 1-844-870-4754, to be connected with an IH staff member who is trained to respond to such situations. As a designated agency under the Adult Guardianship Act, health authorities must investigate in person any case of suspected elder abuse reported to them.
Interior Health has always had phone numbers for the reporting of elder abuse in each community, but the toll-free number will make it easier for people reporting abuse to connect with IH says Brett Butchart, the IH害羞草研究所檚 knowledge coordinator for vulnerable and incapable adults.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a number for all the Interior Health region,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淧eople don害羞草研究所檛 have to find a local number; there害羞草研究所檚 one number for everything.害羞草研究所�
He says the number is there for anyone with concerns about an elderly person being vulnerable, whether through any form of abuse, neglect or self-neglect, or health issues. It is not just for family members; someone concerned about an elderly friend or neighbour can call the number to report the situation. The names of those who call in are kept confidential.
Isobel Mackenzie, the BC Seniors Advocate, applauds the measure. 害羞草研究所淥ur office has been working with health authorities about elder abuse, and making it easier to get help.害羞草研究所� She says that Interior Health is the first health authority in the province to establish a single toll-free number to call to report elder abuse.
Elder abuse takes many forms, including physical, financial, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect or self-neglect. It can affect anyone, and can occur anywhere.
害羞草研究所淣obody should have to suffer silently,害羞草研究所� says IH board chair Erwin Malzer. 害羞草研究所淲e all need to stand up and speak out on behalf of those who may be unable to advocate for themselves.害羞草研究所�
While almost 16 per cent of B.C.害羞草研究所檚 population is over the age of 65, that number is higher within the IH region (22 per cent), and is climbing. With an ageing society, it is increasingly important to educate people to recognize signs of elder abuse and provide the tools to stop it.
Butchart says that calls to the toll-free number are triaged based on the urgency of the situation害羞草研究所敽π卟菅芯克鶞It depends a lot on what the abuse is害羞草研究所澓π卟菅芯克鶖but adds that all calls are investigated.
害羞草研究所淧eople have a right to live in any manner they wish, but we害羞草研究所檙e there to support them in any way we can to help them live independently for as long as possible. We want to make sure we give people the help they need.害羞草研究所�
