SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Yellowknife Seniors' Society, known for its advocacy on the behalf of senior citizens, has been recognized for its efforts to raise awareness of the problem of seniors abuse.

Yellowknife Seniors Society executive director Vivian Squires holds the Sister Agnes Sutherland Award the society earned last week. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

The organization was presented with the Sister Agnes Sutherland Award during a lunch at the Elks Club, Friday.

It was presented to the group by the NWT Seniors' Society - an umbrella organization that represents the larger territorial region.

Commissioner Tony Whitford presented the award to the city society for its efforts to develop support programs to protect seniors from abuse of all kinds.

It's a serious issue that remains hidden from view, said Vivian Squires, president of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society.

She said abuse of seniors develops in many different ways.

"The most prevalent form of abuse that I've seen involves children and money - children and grandchildren who want money. They'll take as much money as they can get from parents or grandparents."

Seniors are very loving and generous people, Squires said, often willing to turn over large sums of cash to younger family members who then use the money for rent, groceries and other expenses - leaving the senior with little or no cash, at least until their next pension cheque arrives.

That's when the same family member shows up looking for another handout.

Barb Hood, executive director of the NWT Seniors' Society, agreed financial abuse is the most common violation but she said psychological abuse and emotional abuse are other problems that don't get attention.

"Their children will make demands from them - to give up a vehicle for example - and they're told otherwise they won't get to see the grandchildren."

In that case, she said, it's emotional abuse - a type of blackmail.

Hood wants seniors to know they're not alone. The NWT society runs a seniors information line - a telephone line for seniors who can call to talk about some of the issues that are happening in their lives.

"We'll continue to speak out about abuse," said Squires.

The Yellowknife Seniors' Society often holds lunchtime conferences with people who can speak about the issue, she said, adding education is part of the solution.