World Elder Abuse Awareness Day a chance to talk about neglect of seniors
NANAIMO — Thursday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, bringing to light the constant scams and mistreatment seniors face.
Local seniors advocate Kim Slater, chair of the Vancouver Island Association of Family Councils, said supporters need to do more than just “pay lip service” on the day by considering elder abuse as something larger than Canada Revenue Agency scams.
In Parksville and Qualicum Beach, seniors now outnumber children and soon the same will be true across all of Vancouver Island, according to the latest 2016 census data.
“We need to start thinking more broadly because some of the worst, most unhappy stories I see are the neglect which happens because of loneliness and isolation,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.