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, follow the Use This Site Safely instructions from the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence.
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.
- Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults: Information for Family Caregivers (HealthLinkBC File #93b)
- Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults: Understanding Gender Differences (HealthLinkBC File #93c)
- Elder Abuse
- Financial Abuse of Older Adults (HealthLinkBC File #93d)
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 are a victim of crime and need 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 the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support.
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.
For More Information
For general information on physical abuse and domestic violence, click on the links below.
Advance Care Planning
- Abuse: Signs of Abuse-Related Injuries
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse or Assault (Rape)
Last Reviewed: April 2015
