Statistics

StatisticsEstimated rate of elder abuse in the province: 4 - 10 %Recent survey suggests up to 25%

Population in Durham Region 2008: 600,000Over 100,000 over the age of 65 years old-

Dramatic population growth expected in years to come as baby- boomers age

2011 first wave of baby-boomers turn 65 years old

By 2021, population of seniors expected to be higher than children 15 and younger for first time ever in Canadian history

Definition of ELDER ABUSE Any abuse done to you by a person in a position of trust

Position of Trust means family member, related or unrelated caregiver, doctor, bank contact etc

2WHO definition police consider elder abuse any crime against a senior done by anyone. Q/ Who is #1 abuser statistically????Senior over 75 years oldSenior who is widowed and living aloneSenior who is lonelySenior who is isolatedSenior who is physically frail but mentally capable Senior with diminished cognitive ability Senior who has to rely on othersSenior who has money or assetsSenior who is under control and influence of the abuser

Who is most likely to be targeted?Theft by Power of AttorneyThis is a criminal offence section 331 CCWhen your attorney takes your money for their own use

TIPS to make sure this doesnt happen to you

Really consider who your POA will bePOA should not be addicted drugs, alcohol, gamblingConsider 2 POAs jointly/severallyUse a lawyer to do up POA documents not off internet or StaplesPOA in effect when signed unless otherwise stated-

4122,000 3 months gambling good sentence is important media coverage is important to deter others Why do Cons target SeniorsExcessive ability home during the dayTrust Older adults are often more trustingPolite Older adults are raised to be respectfulFinances money or assets

Renovation ScamsUnsolicited call to your door dont open if not expecting someoneTell you will give you deal now to fix pavement scamWill put pressure on you to buy now, right now or wont give you a dealIf you need repairs, ask friends, neighbours, family who they recommend call BBB do checksAlways get a contract in writing get 3 estimatesTake your timeNever give large depositCheque to company not individualYou have 10 days to cancel

False Charities Bogus charities often use names that are very close to the names of legitimate and respected charities. The end of the year is the peak season for charity appeals. It also is the peak season for the bogus charity appeals. Warning signs High pressure or threatening telemarketers Someone calls and thanks you for a pledge you don't remember making. Copycat names. Names that might be misleading or deceiving.

False Charities/what you can doask for the information to be sent to you in writing. You never know who is calling you!!! misrepresenting a legitimate charity. Never give out your personal / financial information out over the phone, or at the door. Call the charity. Find out if they know about the appeal and have authorized it and what percentage of your donation they will receive from your donation. Perhaps there is a better way to give, where 100% of your donation will reach the charity. Ask if the charity is registered. Contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-267-2384 Ask them to give you the charitable tax number of the charity. Most have chosen charities ie: autismFeel good about giving.When approached you can say that you have already given and leave it at that

Lottery EmailsHit the jackpotThey do not notify winners by email. You cannot win without first buying a lottery ticket. They do not randomly select email addresses to award prizes to. They do not use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you. They do not tell you to call a mobile phone number. They do not tell you to keep your winnings secret. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees up front (like taxes or a security deposit) to receive a prize, lottery or sweepstake! > Lottery Scam / MailVictims typically are notified they have won a lottery, yet have to pay transfer fees, taxes or provide proof of their identity and/or details of their bank accounts or credit cards in order to receive the "winnings". The names of these organizations change all the time (they just make up a new name when one is exposed as a fraud), although many of the notifications use similar wording.Remember these tips for avoiding scam lotteriesYou cannot win a legitimate lottery if you have not entered it.You must purchase a ticket to enter a legitimate lottery.NO legitimate lottery contacts winners. Winners must always contact the lottery first. You never have to pay to collect winnings from a legitimate lottery or sweepstake. There are no other fees.Scammers often use the name of a legitimate lottery in the scam.the list of legitimate lotteries CAFC 1 888 495 8501

PhishingPhishing, also called "brand spoofing" is the creation of email messages and Web pages that are replicas of existing, legitimate sites and businesses.used to trick users into submitting personal, financial, or password dataask for information such as credit card numbers, bank account information, social insurance numbers, and passwords that will be used to commit fraud. DiversionMeant to divert your attentionLots of different scams like thisParking lots, stores, anywhereAlways have to be cautious when a stranger wants your attentionHigh Pressure door to door/condo salesTalk about HIGH PRESSUREIdea is that you have to buy NOW Anytime you are being pressured to buy NOW, chances are you will be getting a bad dealIdentity Theft: Could it Happen to You? The signs can be many, but typical indicators that your identity is being used include: A creditor informs you that an application for credit was received with your name and address, which you did not apply for. Telephone calls or letters state that you have been approved or denied by a creditor that you never applied to. You receive credit card statements or other bills in your name, which you did not apply for.

ID theft signsYou no longer receive credit card statements or you notice that not all of your mail is delivered. A collection agency informs you they are collecting for a defaulted account established with your identity and you never opened the account. General TIPSWatch out for products promoted by prizes or free trips SUCKERS LISTResist pressure to act immediatelyDont buy on impulseBefore buying or investing, check with family and friends or attorneyDo not give your credit card over the phone unless you are sure who you are giving it toDo not give personal information over the phone

More TIPSYou can contact the Better Business Bureau at 416-323-9946 or www.mwco.bbb.org or the Consumer Protection Branch at 1 800 889 9768 or infomcs@ontario.ca to find out about a business, to make a complaint about a business and to receive general tips.If It Sounds Too Good To Be TrueIT IS!

The best tip I can give you and you are the generation that made this saying: Home SafetyKeep all entrances well litDo not leave tell tale signs you are awayInstall good locks and use themInstall wide angle door viewerNever open the door to strangersChange your routineDo not keep large amounts of money in your homeRemove large bushes that give someone a place to hide

Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other dailyEnsure all ground floor windows are lockedHave phone nearbyConsider personal alarmHome Safety (contd)

What can you do if you are being abused or know someone who is?

Call police Call me (905) 579-1520, ext. 5624Call Crimestoppers 1 800 222-TIPS (8477)Tell someone If this senior is not capable, call the Public Guardian and Trustee at 416 314-2670 or 1 800 366-0335

Condo SafetyCondo should have 2 locks, one a good dead bolt and the other a good chainA solid core doorNever open your door to a stranger EVER!!!A good peep hole viewer and use it!!!Never leave your door unlocked even for one minuteNever leave your sliding doors unlocked, even if you are on higher floors especially if balconies are close togetherUse pins, locks or rods in the frame

Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other dailyEnsure all ground floor windows are lockedHave phone nearbyConsider personal alarm new one can detect if you fallCondo Safety (contd)

Proper lighting in parking lotsLock your car doors and remove your valuables from eyesightRemove any paper work identifying your condo numberNext to each phone write your condo number, address and telephone number and anyone to call in case of emergency

Condo Safety (contd)

Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other dailyEnsure all ground floor windows are lockedHave phone nearbyConsider personal alarm new one can detect if you fallCondo Safety (contd)

Condo Safety (contd)

Never buzz in someone you dont know - refer them to the superintendentNo first name/initial on mailbox/condo door, stranger dont need to know your gender/assume one adult is living thereConsider bending mirrors in hallways and elevatorsHallways need to be well litIf in the elevator and a suspicious person walks in, walk out or vice versaMake sure the emergency phone in the elevator works

Trim trees and bushes around the building and parking lot to prevent hiding spots for criminals

Security cameras provide surveillance and help prevent crime

Important for management and condos owners to communicate with each other regarding safety issue

Condo dwellers have a right to be notified of any suspicious activity dont worry about raising alarm

Condo Safety (contd)

Condo Safety (contd)Informed residents are safe guards against further crimes

Condo security is everyones responsibility not just the board and management includes residents

After an incident or attempted incident happens debriefing can be helpful, suggestions may help prevent further incidents

If crime becomes a major issue in your condo, consider professional security consultants

Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use itAvoid using extension cords under carpets, they could fray and overheat and cause a fireKnow how to unlock security devices in the darkAlways have a flashlight available

Condo Safety (contd)

Know the best way out of your building in case of a fire, but have a back up plan in case that route is blockedNever use the elevator when there is a fireOnce outside make sure all your neighbours are accounted for and tell the fire department if there is someone that is missingCondo Safety (contd)

Have your keys in hand before reaching your carUpon approaching your vehicle be aware of your surroundings.Check under the vehicle from a distance to make sure that no one is hiding under your car. As you move closer, be alert to other vehicles parked close by.

SAFETY TIPS: Underground ParkingI put out brouchure with elder abuse, nobody a brouchure with Underground Parking (contd)If there is a group of individuals near your car, do not attempt to approach your car, immediately contact security officer for an escort.If your car looks odd or perhaps has a flat tire, leave at once and seek help.Visually check the front and rear passenger compartments before entering. If you have a hatchback, check the rear compartment as well.

Underground Parking (contd)Consider installing a remote car starter. As you approach your vehicle in a parking lot, activate the signal to start your car. Many car starters illuminate the parking lights as they start. This might deter an aggressor who might think that there is someone else in the car waiting for you.

When parking in any type of lot, try to park close to a walkway or building entrance. Always avoid parking far away from others.

Be aware of your environment before exiting your vehicle. Turn off your engine, listen for any sounds. Use your mirrors to help scan the area.

Underground Parking (contd)Never assume Just because you have security, never assume you are 100% safe your safety starts with you