Protect Yourself From Elder Abuse

I attended a function last night and an elderly widower sat across the room from me. This elderly gentleman in his late 80’s had laid his late wife’s body to rest in the morning, and the function was held in the very church where the funeral mass was celebrated.

One would think he would be much laboured and needs to rest from his grief. This bereaved elderly, obviously distraught and destitute shared this story. ‘He went to his bank to make funeral arrangements to bury his wife and discovered that he had no money in his bank account’. Consequently, he had to take out a loan to fulfill that obligation. This is a true, real life occurrence, recently experienced where, words are inadequate to describe the action of the perpetrator, whom ever that may be.

As horrific as it is, abuse of the elderly is taking place in many different ways. Let us remind ourselves that no one’s trust should be so violated. It is simply wrong to take advantage of the elderly; instead, you must respect and protect the elderly. Please, do not violate the trust placed in you and cause them unnecessary pain and stress.

I wish to bring awareness to everyone, caregivers, carers, the elderly, baby boomers, children, taking care of their aging parents how important it is to have a Power of Attorney in place for everyone’s protection.

In view of this classic case of elder abuse, the link below is shared; pay attention. It Can Happen to You! Protect Yourself!

www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/working/fptf/attorney.shtml