Alerts
Elder Abuse
For emergencies call 9-1-1
| Organization | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Rowan House Emergency Shelter | Â 403-652-3311 |
| Okotoks Family Resource Centre | 403-995-2626 |
| High River FCSS | 403-652-8620 |
| Distress Centre* (24 hours) | 403-266-4357 |
*The Distress Centre is a 24-hour crisis/support line that can connect you to: Calgary Seniors Resource Society - Seniors Connect Outreach Program, Alberta Health Services - Mobile Response Team for Mental Health, and the RCMP.
Staying Safe: A Resource for Older Adults in Alberta is a handbook from the province that can help older adults identify unsafe or abusive situations, and understand their rights and options if they are being hurt.Â
A single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elder abuse can take several forms including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, spiritual, financial and material abuse, abandonment, neglect and serious loss of dignity and respect.
Elder abuse is complicated. It happens in many ways including:
- Physical:Â hitting, pushing, pinching
- Financial: taking money or property
- Emotional: name calling or scaring you
- Sexual: unwanted touching or sexual contact
Elder abuse can happen to any older adult, regardless of:
- Cultural or ethnic group
- Physical or mental health
- Socio-economic group
Who is responsible for preventing Elder Abuse?
Everyone. It is important to talk about elder abuse, how unacceptable it is and to let people know help is available. If someone discloses abuse to you, you see signs or if you suspect abuse, it is your responsibility to do something about it.
Older adults in Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, Black Diamond, and the surrounding rural areas within Foothills County live in a safe, caring and responsive community where their rights, dignity and well-being are valued and they are free from abuse and neglect.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Elder abuse is everyone's responsibility. See it. Recognize the signs. Take action.
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Help us #GrowTheConversation
Download and print the poster to share.
Register for the WEAAD virtual event
The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse will be hosting our annual virtual event on June 15th, bringing together experts on aging and elder abuse, politicians and community members to discuss what we can all do to ensure older Canadians are safe from abuse and neglect. To register, visit weaad.ca
Who We Are
The Foothills Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response (CCR) is a network of local organizations working together to prevent and address elder abuse in our community.
The network includes the following organizations:
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This project is funded in part by the Calgary Foundation, which supports the Foothills Regional Elder Abuse CCR model to serve seniors across the Foothills region who may need information or support, and in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program.
