Family violence against elderly individuals in Canada has surged to a new peak, as per the latest report from Statistics Canada. The national rate of family violence against seniors has spiked by 49% since 2018.
In the previous year, seniors who were victims of family violence were primarily targeted by their offspring, with approximately one in four cases involving a spouse or another family member. Across the country, there were 7,622 reported cases of senior victims of family violence in 2024.
Alexandra Lysova, a criminology professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, expressed concern over the rise in elder abuse. While seniors are less likely to experience abuse within family relationships compared to younger family members, the issue of elder abuse needs to be addressed seriously due to the growing population of individuals over 65.
Notable risk factors for older adults include cognitive decline and physical frailty, which increase their vulnerability to abuse by family members. Economic challenges, stress, and intergenerational communication dynamics contribute to the vulnerability of seniors in Canada.
Lysova highlighted that the reported police data may not capture all instances of abuse. She emphasized that many incidents go unreported due to individuals not deeming them serious enough or feeling ashamed. Additionally, reluctance to expose family members as potential abusers may inhibit reporting.
The methodology for recording data on senior violence by the police has evolved since 2018, potentially contributing to the observed increase. Lysova hopes that future reports by StatsCan will focus on violence against seniors and include contextual information on the incidents.
In British Columbia, the Seniors First B.C. hotline for elder abuse has observed a significant rise in calls regarding physical, financial, and emotional abuse. Executive director Marie-Noël Campbell noted the concerning trend of escalating physical assault and violence against older adults, which has been increasing steadily.
B.C. seniors advocate Dan Levitt acknowledged the growing issue of elder abuse, attributing it in part to societal ageism. He urged loved ones to be vigilant for signs of abuse, such as changes in lifestyle habits, financial matters, or social behavior, and to address any concerns promptly.