Seniors Advocates are questioning whether the province has abandoned its elders.
This came on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Executive Director for the Coalition for Seniors Cecile Cassista says there are issues in long term and special care homes that need to be addressed, “I hear daily, people saying that their mom isn’t being taken care of. The food is awful and she has bruises and there are all kinds of things that go on and they’re afraid to speak out. People don’t want to live in hospital, they don’t want to live in institutions, they want to live at home. There are almost 700 people waiting for placements because we don’t have an adequate homecare system in this province.”
She says extra mural was designed to keep seniors out of hospitals and out of nursing homes and it is not being utilized the way it should be.
The Action committee for the well-being of seniors has also concluded the situation is deplorable and more urgent than ever.
They released an Elder report yesterday that stemmed from an event held on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day last year.
President of the Association francophone des ainés du Nouveau-Brunswick Marcel Larocque explains: “Every week since then, the committee has been meeting, holding discussions, and interviewing people across the province to better understand how New Brunswick cares for its seniors. Our committee’s goal is clear: to help improve a system that is failing miserably.”
The report brings awareness to research they found that reveals the indignity and indifference suffered by too many seniors in nursing homes.
The AFANB feel the private sector is not a long-term solution, and suggest a new model and structure to ensure seniors are treated with respect and dignity.
The Association states the recommendations proposed in the report, New Brunswick’s Elders Neglected and Forgotten, are very elaborate and will take some time to fully implement.
Chair Norma Dubé says, “The Government of New Brunswick is very aware of the problem of abuse and the extent of it. The AFANB and our Committee are not the first to research and make recommendations on this issue.”
You can read the full Elder report
New Brunswick Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch released a statement, “With the increasing percentage of seniors in our population, the safety and wellbeing of seniors should be a priority, not only for governments, but for all members of our society. Elder abuse is a serious issue and comes in many forms. It can be physical, financial, emotional, verbal, or in the form of neglect. It is important we take the initiative to keep our loved ones safe. Seniors play a vital role in our society. They are contributing so much in time and dedication to help and support others. But most importantly they share with us important life lessons and wisdom. It is our role to keep them safe.”
