June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day set aside to talk plainly about something that’s often kept quiet. Elder abuse isn’t only physical. It can be financial, like someone taking money or controlling finances without permission, or emotional, or neglect, and it often comes from a family member, caregiver, or someone else the person trusts.
If you’re worried about yourself or someone you know, BC’s Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a reasonable place to start. A trained person listens, talks through what’s going on, and helps you figure out next steps, confidentially and without any pressure to make a formal report right away.
Right now SAIL is answering calls weekdays, 8am to 4:30pm. Call 604-437-1940 in the Lower Mainland, or 1-866-437-1940 toll-free from anywhere else in BC.