LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The creation of a seniors' group in Fort Simpson was one of the suggestions to emerge from a workshop on older adult abuse in Fort Simpson May 26.

Betty Hardisty, left, a program advisor with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation; Lee Scobie, a licensed practical nurse at Long Term Care; Alex Campbell, a community social services worker with Dehcho Health and Social Services; and Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche draw pictures during a workshop to illustrate the forms that senior abuse can take. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Approximately 15 people attended the workshop in the village, led by Angus Mackay, the director of educational programs for older adults with the NWT Seniors' Society. The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness and to educate people on seniors' abuse and to come up with strategies to address it, Mackay said.

"It's quite significant," said Mackay about seniors' abuse in the territory.

The society recently conducted a survey of 500 people ages 50 and older in 11 NWT communities. Seventy-one per cent of respondents said that seniors' abuse is a problem in their community. Almost 40 per cent said they don't know what to do about it and close to the same number said they don't know where to get help if they are abused.

The results showed a lot of work has to be done on the issue, Mackay said. The research also indicated a lot of people don't want to come forward and talk about seniors' abuse and some don't even understand what it is or recognize it when it's taking place.

The most prominent form of seniors' abuse is financial, followed by neglect, emotional and verbal abuse, he said. During the Fort Simpson workshop, participants discussed the other forms the abuse takes in the village and the rest of the Deh Cho. Examples included physical abuse, disrespect and intimidation, and lack of help for seniors to

go back on the land when they want to.

The creation of an elders' group was one of the suggested measures raised at the workshop to combat seniors' abuse. The group could be as basic as seniors getting together and making their voices heard, said Mackay.

"There's a lot of power in that," he said.

Participants at the workshop also recognized the need to engage with older adults more effectively. Hopefully an event could be planned that seniors would come to where they could talk about their issues, learn how they can protect themselves and find out about the support that is available, Mackay said.

As caregivers, workshop participants also talked about making themselves more available to visit and reach out to seniors, especially those who don't get out much, and to watch for signs of abuse.

"There's a lot of simple things all of us can do," he said.

Bernice Hardisty-Isaiah, a health promotion officer with Dehcho Health and Social Services, said she came to the workshop because elder abuse is something that is heard about and seen in the community but few people do anything about it.

"We should be learning their knowledge, not abusing them," she said.

Hardisty-Isaiah suggested every elder should have something posted on their door or in their home reminding people that they are a strong person and won't allow themselves to be abused.

Community members also have to step in to help stop the cycle of abuse but it won't be easy because it has been going on for so long, she said.

"We can speak up for them and say enough is enough," said Hardisty-Isaiah.

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