The Niagara Region is one of the safest places in the world.  To help make it safer, the Niagara Regional Police has compiled this information to assist and inform residents of the Niagara Region, and those visiting our Web site from elsewhere in the world.

Following these suggestions will not eliminate abuse and crimes against senior citizens, but an awareness of these crime prevention pointers together with your own common sense, can help safeguard you or a loved one from harm.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse occurs when a person in a position of authority or trust harms a senior citizen.  Such a person may be a member of the victim's family, a neighbor, nurse, or some other caregiver.  It may also be a person in some other position of power, such as a landlord, the executor of a will, or someone with power of attorney over the victim's affairs.

Elder abuse may be physical, financial, or neglect.   For example, a child or caregiver may push, hit or threaten the victim.  A person with Power of Attorney may abuse their position, and use the finances for their own personal use and gain.  Children may abuse their parents by endorsing a cheque without consent.  Another example of elder abuse is neglect, where the victim is refused food, medical care, over-medicated, or forcibly isolated.

Someone Is Abusing You When They:

• hit, slap or push you

• don’t give you food, medicine or the care you need to keep well

• take or control your money, your house or your possessions

• threaten or hurt you, or to not take care of you

• don’t let you see your family or friends

• call you names or make you feel badly about yourself

Who Abuses?

You may be abused by:

• a member of your family
• a friend
• someone you have paid to take care of you

It is hard when someone close to you is treating you badly. You may still love that person:

• you may feel confused
• you may feel sad
• you may feel it is your fault
• you may feel afraid
• you may feel betrayed
• you may feel angry

It is hard to talk about it, but talking helps. There is no need for you to be hurt.

Letting the abuse continue does not help you or your loved one.

You will not lose control over your life if you talk about it

Nothing will happen unless you want it to. There are choices.

The first step is to talk about it.

• Tell the abuser to stop; tell them if you are scared or hurt
• Tell someone you trust
• Keep telling until someone helps
• Call to find out what you can do
• Let someone help you make decisions

• Call someone when you just need to talk or get advice.
• If needed, keep emergency numbers with you at all times.
• Think about what you will do the next time it happens.
• Keep in touch with someone who can help you find out what to do or ask them to call you.

Niagara Regional Police Service
(905) 688-4111

Seniors Support Coordinator
(905) 688-4111, ext. 5156

Victim Services Niagara
(905) 688-4111, ext. 5084

Regional Niagara Public Health Department
(905) 688-3762 or 1-800-263-7248

Regional Niagara Seniors Community Programs
(905) 984-2630 or 1-877-212-3922

Community Care Access
(905) 684-9441 or 1-800-263-5480

Gate Keepers
(905) 684-0968

Alzheimer Society of Niagara 
(905) 687-3914