Ken Kuhn was visiting his father when he took a peek at the elderly man’s chequebook and wondered why there were so many entries.
After doing some research, he realized many of the payments weren’t legit.
His dad had been scammed.
“It’s huge out there,” Kuhn said about the prevalence of seniors falling victim to fraud.
Now, he is hoping one of the outcomes of the free forum on elder abuse and wellness he’s organizing next month will be to help seniors avoid predators who would drain their bank accounts.
The forum will be held June 8 at the Winslow Centre in Coquitlam (1100 Winslow Ave.). It is being put on by the Tri-Cities Seniors Planning Network, the BC Community Response Network and Vancity Credit Union. There will be three 45-minute workshops (starting at 10:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.) with a total of 15 topics to choose from along with an hour-long panel presentation and discussion just before lunch.
For instance, the Better Business Bureau will present its top 10 scams while the Coquitlam RCMP will do a workshop on frauds and scams. Other workshop topics include: medication awareness; elder abuse, mistreatment and wellness; overcoming social isolation; power of attorney and other legal rights; TransLink and using the Compass card; navigating the health care system; fall prevention; and seniors’ benefits.
“There’s some pretty heavy issues there,” said Kuhn. “Elder abuse is not just physical abuse, it includes financial abuse, sexual abuse, part of it is self-neglect abuse, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, neglect and emotional abuse.
“But we don’t want to focus on the negative. We want to focus on what these things are and now let’s see how to get to the wellness.”
Kuhn, a retired School District 43 business teacher, said sometimes, the abuse comes from family taking advantage of seniors.
“We need the seniors to understand the different types of abuse so they figure it out,” he said. “Quite often, they’re embarrassed by it.
“Once they identify it, I give them places to contact so they can get help to get out of their situation.”
Kuhn said has already lined up a familiar face in the Tri-Cities for the panel discussion. Sylvia Ceacero is the CEO for BC Seniors Living Association, an organization formed by long-term care facilities. She used to be CEO of the Share Family and Community Services Society. Another panelist is Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, executive director of Eagle Ridge Hospital.
Registration is limited to 300. You can register at eventbrite.ca (search “Elder Abuse & Wellness Forum 2018”).
• A shuttle bus will be available to pick up attendees at 10 a.m. from Glen Pine Pavilion and Port Moody city hall to take them to Winslow Centre. Return shuttles will be provided at 12:30 p.m. and after the day is done. To reserve a shuttle spot, call 604-949-0599 and leave a message with name, phone number and pick-up location.
