There is support for people in Sylvan Lake who experience elder abuse.
Back in September, Lindsay Mach was hired as a caseworker thanks to the help of the Taking Action Against Elder Abuse grant.
"Since the grant is relatively new Lindsay's work is one-on-one case management, getting information on elder abuse, training, and developing resources. She is also connected to 13 other case managers," older adult services supervisor Brittney Wells said.
Elder abuse is so much more than just abuse, it's about developing healthy relationships with adult children, being able to maintain a household, and more, she added.
Mach is also not the only one available to go to for assistance, Wells said.
"Our department, Community Connections, has been providing community-level training on how to recognize elder abuse and how to help someone."
Through grants received by the Community Connections department, it has also been able to purchase some specific elder abuse resources.
"We have books that we can lend out to older adults. As well, there is an audio one available that people can download," Wells said.
Elder abuse is something that is very under-reported, Wells said.
"In the past year in Sylvan, there have been seven cases I have supported and since Lindsay has come in there have been three. The number is so small in Sylvan and the Province because it is so hard to track."
Wells said that it is important to give support while the Wellness and Community Connections Centre doesn't typically do walk-in service.
"Mach has business cards, and unless it is a crisis where she will try to step in to help that person at the moment, we try to schedule meetings to give support."
For the meetings, Mach is able to meet people in the office, at their home or around the community, she added.
"If the older adult or individual can not get out of the house and she is able to go to the home safely, she does. If safety is not there, she will arrange to see them elsewhere."
For the program in town Community Connections also does outreach at the Seniors Centre every Friday in the afternoons.
It's not just Sylvan Lake that can be helped.
"Within the grant, we are also able to support the surrounding communities including Innisfail, Penhold, and others," Wells said.
If individuals need help or know of someone who does they can contact Mach at 403-396-5900, email seniorsoutreach@sylvanlake.ca, or use the form on the Town of Sylvan Lake website, forms.sylvanlake.ca/FCSS/Contact-FCSS.
"Elder abuse happens in our community and we have lots of prevention and intervention support and we serve outlying communities as well. We can be the hub for them to get help when needed," Wells said.
