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Elder Abuse Hotline Created

A charitable organization is raising awareness to eliminate elder abuse in this area

OXFORD COUNTY - A safety support line has been set up for Seniors to report elder abuse.

Oxford has a robust senior community and elder abuse is always a concern. The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse is a charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse and neglect of older adults. OPP constable Ed Sanchuk says elder abuse can be physical, it can verbal and often times it is financial. "Certain bills aren't being paid for, if your a power of attourney, the use of power attorney is to pay for any type of care or living accomdations for that person that's required and what we have found in the past is that money is being used to pay for trips or buy cars, and if you know anyone that is being taken advantage of financially that is also elder abuse and you need contact police and report that immediately."

Sanchuk says often time the abuse is being caused by a family member, a loved one or someone the senior trusts. The toll free service is available 24/7 with translation services in multiple languages. ONPEA has partnered with the Assaulted Women’s Help Line to implement this safety line for seniors. The toll free seniors safety line is 1-866-299-1011.

There are 1.6 million older adults living in the province and statistics indicate that there is between 32,000 and 160,000 older adults living in Ontario who are being abused in some fashion by someone they trust. If you feel you are risk or know someone who may be at risk please report it immediately.

For more information on elder abuse visit www.onpea.org

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