'They need a safe place': Africa Centre working to improve tools to address elder abuse

Alberta's elder abuse resources need to address the specific needs and cultural experiences of seniors of African descent, a local community organization says.

Edmonton's Africa Centre is starting a new initiative to let seniors share their experiences and make sure other organizations and workers that handle cases of elder abuse have the right knowledge and training.

They held their first event Wednesday for the Circles Under the Tree Project, which aims to break down stigma about elder abuse and build more inclusive services. They're inviting seniors to share their experiences and find counselling and supports if they need it, with more sessions planned in both Edmonton and Calgary.

Aurelia Uarsama, the Africa Centre's seniors well-being and engagement program co-ordinator, said information on elder abuse needs to be available in the dominant African languages spoken by people who live in Alberta.

And service providers and community organizations need to be aware of the cultural nuances behind seniors' experiences.

"It's a bit uncomfortable for some people because the notion itself of elder abuse is sometimes not discussed in their community," Uarsama said.

"They face language barriers, they face financial barriers, and there is also social isolation. ... They need to find a safe place to discuss these matters."

An estimated one in 10 Alberta seniors experience some form of elder abuse, according to the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council (AEAAC).

But as the population of people 65 and older grows, elder abuse remains underreported.

It can be complex for victims to make a decision about reporting abuse perpetrated by a family member or trusted caregiver, and the AEAAC says there's also a lack of knowledge about the signs of abuse to help others spot it.

The provincial government rolled out an updated elder abuse strategy in 2022. It outlines five goals to prevent, address and track elder abuse, which can encompass physical, sexual, emotional and financial harm, as well as neglect.

Some of the long-term actions identified in the strategy include dealing with gaps in elder abuse resources, and the need to develop training to address the needs of "diverse seniors," including those from ethnic minority and immigrant communities.

AEAAC acting executive director Joanne Blinco said elder abuse is an issue across all communities, and it's a problem that requires a collective response.

"Are there barriers? Yes. Sometimes there's language barrier. Sometimes being a new person to Alberta [means] not knowing that there are resources out there," she said.

"We have to work strongly to bring that information to the older adults who need it."

Uarsama said it's important to find ways to understand and address elder abuse from African perspectives.

"Unfortunately, the ethnocultural communities in Alberta are not included in a lot of the services such as [for] elder abuse," she said.

"We want to take away those added challenges and barriers ... and we want to curb the marginalization."