- Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
- 1-844-762-9945 (Call)
Confidential support is available. You are not alone.
Resources
Muskoka Victim Services responds to elder abuse and supports older adults affected by crime, fraud and sudden loss.
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is any action, or failure to act, that harms an older person in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust. It is often caused by someone the person knows, such as a family member, friend or caregiver.
Abuse can be hard to talk about. You don’t have to be certain something is wrong to ask for help.
Forms of Abuse
Misuse of money, property or power of attorney, or pressure to sign documents.
Threats, insults, intimidation or keeping someone from family and friends.
Any act that causes pain or injury, including rough handling or restraint.
Failing to provide food, medication, care or a safe place to live.
Phone, email or in-person scams that target older adults.
On-site support for victims of elder abuse, fraud and other crimes.
Confidential support for older adults experiencing abuse, from Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario.
How We Can Help
Muskoka Victim Services provides on-site assistance to victims of elder abuse, fraud and other crimes, and to people facing a sudden death or a family crisis. Support is confidential.
Our Crisis Responders can stay with you while police or other services are involved, help you understand what happens next, and connect you with community services for longer-term help.
Someone to listen, answer questions and explain what to expect.
Transportation, accompaniment to a hospital or other service, and phone calls made on your behalf when you ask.
Connections to community programs and services for ongoing support.
Help for Older Adults
Protecting Yourself
Scams often target older adults by phone, email, text or at the door. These habits can help.
Scammers create urgency. Take time to check the story with someone you trust before sending money.
If a caller says they are a bank, a government agency or a relative, hang up and call them on a number you already have.
Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers are a common sign of fraud.
If you have been targeted, report it to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Being scammed is nothing to be ashamed of.
Worried About Someone?
You don’t need proof to ask for help. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Talk with the person alone, somewhere they feel safe.
Let them share at their own pace. Respect their choices where they are able to make them.
Share the Seniors Safety Line (1-866-299-1011) or call Muskoka Victim Services at 1-844-762-9945.
