Older adults often face abuse that goes unreported.

"It may be physical abuse, it may be emotional abuse, it may be a situation of financial abuse," said Rita Field, with the Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service.

The centre receives nearly 600 calls involving seniors in the city every year, Field said.

"We do have situations where an older adult may be handled roughly, bruising can occur," Field said, adding how it's important for families to keep an eye out for red flags.

"If behavior has changed for this individual, they are not coming to family events, they're afraid when certain people enter the room, that sort of thing."

Caregivers may be tired or may not know what it takes to look after the adult, Field said. They also may feel a sense of entitlement about the senior's resources because "they don't need the money anyway," Field said.

"That's one of the things to watch for - are they paying their bills, are the utilities paid, is their bank account dwindling?"

Many seniors feel helpless in these situations and choose not to report abuse out of fear, Field said.

The Saskatoon Council on Aging is holding a workshop next week, designed to give seniors the tools to make empowered choices for their futures.

"We're gaining more awareness of the problem and how to respond to the problem and what kind of support older adults need to have a good quality of life in Saskatoon," Field said.

Safeguarding Your Future: Making the Right Financial and Personal Choices takes place on Tuesday, June 19 at McClure United Church.

For more information or to register, call 652-2255 or visit scoa.ca < www.scoa.ca>


awills@rawlco.com

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