By Nick Dube

Prince George observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Jun 17, 2025 | 4:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It was World Elder Abuse Awareness day Tuesday in Prince George and a gathering at the Prince George Civic center focused on confronting this rising issue among the elderly.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to increase attention to the well-being and adequate healthcare of older persons in addition to raising awareness about the various forms of elder abuse and how to prevent it. As Melanie Bennett from the Prince George Council of Seniors says there are often misconceptions about what elder abuse is exactly.

“Elder abuse is any misuse of power over a senior vulnerable adult and this most commonly might take the form of emotional abuse or coercion. Financial,physical, sexual, spiritual and cultural abuse are all forms of elder abuse ” said Bennett.

With numbers indicating a 92% increase in elder abuse over the last five years identifying the signs has become more vital then ever before. As Dawn Hemingway of the BC Community Response Network says sometimes indications of abuse aren’t clearly evident.

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“I think it’s important for people to recognize and realize that elder abuse is more than just physical abuse. So when you think about all the different kinds of abuse that can happen, it’s really important to think about signs in that context. So if someone’s really isolated, they’re not seeing other people is there something going on there? Is someone keeping them more isolated than they want to be? The most important thing is to look at things with the people that you know is are they acting different than what you’re used to or how you are used to seeing them.” said Hemingway.

If you know a senior who is facing abuse and in need of help contact the seniors abuse and information line at 1-866-437-1940.