While the official statistics suggest 8% to 10% of seniors experience elder abuse, just about every agency that serves those over 65 believe the incidence is actually much higher.
In Ontario, Family Services Windsor-Essex Program Coordinator Mehnaz Rafat says the official number suggest anywhere from 80,000 to 200,000 seniors experience financial, psychological, physical, sexual abuse or neglect. She says the reasons for staying silent are complicated and numerous.
"A victim may feel shame or guilt, or fear the report will result in worse treatment," says Rafat. "[They may] fear being institutionalized, or they may just want to protect the perpetrator because they are family members."
While caregivers in retirement and long-term care homes are legally obligated to report abuse, the rules for those outside of those institutions are less clear. Professional caregivers visiting a senior in their home are encouraged to report all signs of abuse but are not mandated by law, and neighbours, friends and loved ones are under no such obligation.
However, Rafat says elder abuse is not just a senior's issue. She believes it is everyone's problem.
Signs that an older adult is being mistreated include having the means to live in better conditions than they do, having a home unexpectedly go up on the market, bruises and cuts, or a lack of self-care.
"If somebody was a very well-kept person and now they are now more dishevelled. Their lawn may not be as well-kept as it was before," says Rafat. "A family member may notice that their bills are not being paid on-time."
Rafat says her agency, and others like it across the province, have programs to help seniors experiencing elder abuse, but the problem is only expected to grow as the elderly population grows.
"It is projected that by 2036 the population in Ontario will grow from 2-million to 4.2-million," she says. "If you calculate according to 8-10%, in Ontario we are looking at 84,000 to 420,000 individuals experiencing any form of elder abuse."
This year, Family Services Windsor-Essex will mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a tree dedication ceremony at Harrowood Retirement Home. The service, which will include Grade 3 students from St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School starts at 10am.