Senior Safety: How can I keep my grandparents safe from fraud and/or abuse?

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How can I keep my grandparents safe from fraud and/or abuse?

Question

Both my grandparents are struggling with dementia and are starting to not be aware when they are taken advantage of. I am worried someone will scam them for money, take advantage of them, or abuse them without them realizing. How can I protect them from harm?

Our answer

Elderly abuse is a known struggle and concern for families supporting their older family members. These resources below provide suggestions for support and strategies to help keep their parents and grandparents safe from these issues.

Safety guides

  • Community Response Networks (BC CRNs) provide information on how to report adult abuse in BC, resources related to abuse, neglect and self-neglect, and no-cost programs and material.
  • Senior Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) is a safe place for older adults and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment, receive information and support about issues that impact the health and well-being of an older adult. Call: 604-437-1940 or Toll Free: 1-866-437-1940 weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 10am to 5:30pm, excluding statutory holidays. Language interpretation is available Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm.
  • NursingHomesAbuse.Org is a free resource for the elder and their families who have been affected by nursing home abuse. This form of poor care can take many forms, ranging from physical abuse to financial abuse and is more common than many of us realize.

  • Nursing Home Abuse Guide by Levin & Perconti breaks down signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in nursing homes and offers a 24/7 hotline for a free consultation. Their hotline is 877-374-1417.
  • Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia | Home is a corporation established under the Public Guardian and Trustee Act with a unique statutory role to protect the interests of British Columbians who lack the legal capacity to protect their interests. The mandate of the PGT is to:
    • Protect the legal and financial interests of children under the age of 19 years;
    • Protect the legal, financial, personal and health care interests of adults who require assistance in decision making; and
    • Administer the estates of deceased and missing persons.​

Fraud protection guides

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