Safe Haven for Abused Seniors Vital to Aiding Their Escape

By Noor Javed, Toronto Star

June 17, 2008

Canada

Anna, 71, had put up with it for years – her husband's yelling, his abuse and his unpredictable rage. Until one day, it became too much to handle, so she called the police and they took him away. But Anna was afraid he would return, so scared that she would remain vigil at her window all day watching for signs of him.

After days of suffering, she came to Family Service Toronto with her sister to seek help. While they offered her counselling and support, counsellors felt that what Anna really needed was a safe place away from her home to recover.

Seniors facing abuse will now have such a place with Pat's Place, a "safe haven" for those trying to escape harm, said Lisa Manuel, manager of seniors and caregivers support services at Family Service Toronto.

"There has never been a place where an older person can get away to gain a bit of that emotional distance that is so necessary to escape such situations," said Manuel.

Family Service Toronto has dealt extensively with elder abuse over the past decade – physical, emotional, financial, sexual, as well as medication abuse, and neglect.

"About half of the clients we work with now are older people experiencing abuse," said Manuel.

Research suggests that 4 to 10 per cent of seniors over the age of 60 in the city of Toronto face abuse, but many in the field believe the number is much higher, since many cases of abuse go unreported.

Pat's Place, which will be open as of Sept. 1, will not be a shelter in the traditional sense. Rather, it will be an unstaffed and fully-furnished apartment in a safe and confidential area, where a senior can live rent-free for up to 60 days. During that time, the person will receive counselling, and will be helped to create a long-term plan. "Pat's Place is like another tool in our tool box of options," Manuel said.

The project, which is funded by the Rotary Club, is modelled on a similar one in Edmonton. It will begin with just one apartment, but will be expanded if need be, Manuel said. The one in Edmonton has grown from two apartments to seven in just a few years.

"There is clearly a need for it here," she said. "We're going to start small and just go from there."

Copyright © Global Action on Aging
Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us