Letter to the Editor

The Cranbrook Community Response Network, Safe Communities Cranbrook and The Cranbrook Social Planning Society urges citizens to assist its vulnerable adults by participating in WEAAD (World Elder Abuse Awareness Day), every day.

WEAAD – a United Nations sanctioned event – brings greater recognition of senior abuse and neglect, which takes place everywhere.

Elder abuse often goes underreported. The Ministry of Health reports as many as 10% of BC seniors will experience some form of abuse in their later years. One in 12 seniors will experience financial abuse caused by close family members or trusted friends.

In Cranbrook, the Seniors in Partnership (SIP) Society, made up of various members from social, community and health service organizations, government agencies, community minded individuals, and seniors have come together to form a Community Response Network. The CRN is equipped to provide workshops and resources to the community to build awareness of abuse, neglect and self-neglect. They can help community workers recognize the signs of abuse and identify where the resources can be found in the community.

The Cranbrook CRN plans to highlight the need for prevention activities that allow seniors in the community to live in safety and dignity. The Cranbrook CRN plans to honour and celebrate those who remain active and vibrant members of our community.

Sherry Baker, Executive Director of the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRNs) says: “We all have a role to play in creating safe, supportive communities that we all want to live and grow old in. During a recent CRN workshop for seniors, a lady found her voice and told her story:

Shirley goes to a local coffee outlet every day. Over a couple of weeks, coffee shop staff noticed Shirley’s appearance was changing. She was becoming unkempt, appeared cold, dirty, and hungry. Staff decided to approach her to see if there was something they could help with. She confided in them that her son had taken over her house and she was now living in the basement without proper cooking or bathing facilities. Because the coffee shop staff had learned what to do from a CRN workshop, they were able to get her the help she needed.”

The Seniors in Partnership/Cranbrook CRN is part of the BC CRN, whose mandate is to work with community, agencies, and government to develop a coordinated response to cases of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.

You contact the Cranbrook CRN via email at [email protected]

If you wish to find out further details about the resources and tools offered by the BCCRNs: Visit www.bccrns.ca for details.

Doug Newberry,
BCCRN Mentor East Kootenay

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