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Elder Abuse

Abuse and neglect in later life can affect a person’s health, happiness and safety.

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Last updated: October 29, 2024

Abuse and neglect in later life can affect a person’s health, happiness and safety. Older adults can experience different kinds of harm from people they rely on or trust. This could include physical, emotional, financial, sexual, spiritual, or social harm, or withholding medication or the necessities of life. Elder abuse in any form is wrong. Learn about how to recognize the signs of elder abuse and how to take steps to prevent it.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger from assault or abuse, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number right away. For confidential information or support, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or contact one of the B.C. services below.

If you are worried about someone seeing the information you have been looking at about abuse, see How Do I Clear My Internet Browser History?

Featured Topics

Abuse of Older Adults (Elder Abuse)

Learn more about abuse of older adults, including the different categories of abuse, examples of acts of abuse, signs that someone is being abused and places to get help.

Preventing Abuse

Learn how to help prevent the abuse and neglect of older adults and where you can go for help if you do suspect abuse or neglect.

B.C. Services

VictimLink BC

If you or someone you know is a victim of crime and needs more information or support, call 1-800-563-0808 or click on the links below. VictimLink BC provides information and support for all victims of a crime.

Seniors Abuse & Information Line

If you are an older adult who has been abused or mistreated, call 604-437-1940 or 1-866-437-1940 (toll-free). Services are available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily (excluding holidays). SAIL is a safe place for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to someone about situations where you feel you are being abused or mistreated. For more information about SAIL, visit Seniors First BC.

SeniorsBC

If you are an older adult who has been abused or mistreated, call 604-437-1940 or 1-866-437-1940 (toll-free). Services are available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily (excluding holidays). SAIL is a safe place for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to someone about situations where you feel you are being abused or mistreated. For more information about SAIL, visit the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support.

Office of the Seniors Advocate

The Seniors Advocate monitors and advises on a range of seniors’ services related to health care, personal care, housing, transportation, and income support. As a first step, the advocate will be able to direct you to resources to help resolve your issues. For more information call 1-877-952-3181 (toll-free) or 250-952-3181 in Victoria. The office is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additional Resources

For general information on physical abuse and domestic violence, click on the links below:

Featured Website

VictimLink BC logo

VictimLink BC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual telephone service that provides information and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know are a victim of crime and need more information or support, call 1-800-563-0808.