Senior Support (OASIS) Unit | Durham Regional Police Service

The OASIS Unit provides investigative and social support to residents of Durham Region who are at least 65 years of age, vulnerable, and have been a victim of a criminal offence.

Older adult abuse is the abuse or mistreatment of seniors, and can cause harm to a person's health, safety, or well-being. Older adult abuse is often referred to as ‘The Hidden Crime’ and is a growing concern within our region. It is not often talked about and may not be easily recognized.

Older adult abuse is defined by someone within a relationship who is trusted to the victim, and causes harm to an older person. Older adult abuse can be physical, psychological, financial or sexual. Older adult abuse can also be neglect. The abuser could be a family member, a friend or a service worker. Many will feel ashamed or fearful and do not talk about the abuse to anyone.

Types of elder abuse

Financial

Financial abuse is the most common form of older adult abuse. This could be misuse of money or household goods like jewelry. The abuser will sometimes use other forms of abuse like isolation from family and friends to take advantage of the situation. Signs of financial abuse include: an older adult's home being sold unexpectedly, large sums of money taken from a bank account and an older adult is in debt and does not know why.

Physical

Any pain or injury that is inflicted on an older adult by a person is considered abuse. Warning signs of this abuse should be when an elder does not have an explanation for injuries or they have frequent injuries. This includes: hitting, slapping, pinching, pushing, burning, pulling hair, shaking, physical restrain, physical coercion, forced feeling or withholding physical necessities.

Sexual

Sexual abuse involves threats or force of a person without consent. It includes: rape, sexual harassment, fondling and inappropriate sexual comments.

Psychological abuse

This form of abuse inflicts mental anguish on an individual. It could be making the older adult fearful of violence or isolation. Psychological abuse includes: yelling, ignoring the person, scolding, shouting, insulting, threatening, humiliation, isolation and control. This abuse can result in the older adult having low self-esteem, difficulty sleeping, withdrawal, fearfulness, and significant change in weight.

Verbal abuse

Any form of verbal communication of a belittling or degrading nature which may diminish an older adult's sense of well-being, dignity or self-worth.

Older adult abuse prevention

To prevent yourself from becoming a victim of older adult abuse:

Keep yourself busy by joining a club of interest, go out with friends and volunteer.
Have a good relationship with friends and family. Keep in touch as much as possible.
Have any cheques that you may receive go directly into your bank account.
Keep educated and attend seminars on elder abuse to know your rights.

To prevent older adult abuse:

Educate yourself on the rights of older adults by attending seminars or joining a committee.
Explain the rights to elders.
Take the time to speak to older adults about their current situation and listen carefully to what they have to say.

Who to call about older adult abuse

If you or an older person you know is a victim of older adult abuse and there is an emergency, please call 9-1-1. Otherwise, please contact one of the following:

Region of Durham Older Adult Safety Advisors: Safety: 905-668-7711 ext. 2460
Durham Regional Police Service, 1-888-579-1520
Older Adults CRIMESTOPPERS: 1-800-222-8477

If you have any questions, please contact the OASIS Unit at 905-579-1520 ext.5625. Please note, the OASIS Unit does not take initial reports. For reports, you will be forwarded back to DRPS Communications.

Durham Elder Abuse Network

The Durham Elder Abuse Network (DEAN) is made up of health service providers from both private and non profit services for seniors or organizations with a vested interested in seniors. Dedicated elder abuse experts in Durham Region support the network. DEAN provides education, information and advocacy on all issues relating to elder abuse and protecting seniors.

Durham Elder Abuse Network's website