The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) provides a Get Help resource for people who may be experiencing, witnessing, or worried about elder abuse. For someone in a stressful or unsafe situation, this kind of resource can matter a lot: it can help you understand that what is happening may be abuse, and it can point you toward support without requiring you to figure everything out alone.

If you are reading this because something feels wrong, you do not need to prove it first. Feeling afraid, controlled, isolated, pressured, or confused is enough reason to reach out.

CNPEA’s resource page is a public help guide focused on elder abuse. It is designed to help older adults, family members, friends, caregivers, and professionals find next steps when abuse or neglect may be happening.

This is not a news story about a single incident. It is a resource update that matters because it gives people a place to start when they need help quickly and quietly.

Elder abuse can be hard to name. It may involve:

• physical harm
• emotional abuse or threats
• financial exploitation
• neglect
• sexual abuse
• isolation or controlling behavior
• medication misuse or withholding care
• coercion by a partner, adult child, caregiver, or other trusted person

People experiencing abuse often worry about:

• not being believed
• losing housing or care
• upsetting family members
• retaliation
• being forced into a decision before they are ready
• not knowing who to trust

A resource like CNPEA’s can help reduce that isolation. It can also be useful for domestic violence survivors who are older, disabled, dependent on a caregiver, or supporting an older loved one.

This resource may be especially relevant for:

• older adults who feel unsafe at home
• people whose partner, child, relative, or caregiver is controlling money, medications, phone access, or transportation
• adults who are being pressured to sign documents, give away assets, or change wills or accounts
• caregivers or family members who suspect abuse or neglect
• professionals who need a starting point for referrals
• survivors of domestic violence who are aging or who rely on a partner for daily support

If you think you may be experiencing elder abuse, or if you are worried about someone else, try to focus on the next safe step rather than the whole problem at once.

If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services now.

If calling is unsafe:

• move to a room with a door you can lock if possible
• keep your phone charged and nearby
• use a trusted neighbor, friend, or public place if you can leave safely
• if you can, avoid confronting the person who may be harming you

If it is safe to do so, keep a private record of:

• dates and times of incidents
• what was said or done
• names of people involved
• photos of injuries, damage, or missing items
• bank statements, receipts, or unusual withdrawals
• messages, voicemails, or emails

Store copies somewhere the other person cannot access, such as a trusted person’s device, a new email account, or printed copies kept outside the home.

Choose someone who is likely to stay calm and respect your choices. You do not need to explain everything at once. You can say:

• “I need help thinking through something safely.”
• “I’m not ready to report, but I need support.”
• “Please do not contact anyone without asking me first.”

CNPEA’s help page is a good starting point for learning about elder abuse and finding local support. Depending on where you live, it may point you toward:

• elder abuse helplines
• adult protective services or equivalent local services
• community legal clinics
• victim services
• health care providers
• shelters or safe housing options
• financial or social work supports

You may have more choices than you think. You can ask about:

• safety planning
• emergency housing
• financial protections
• medical documentation
• restraining or protection orders
• legal advice
• transportation to appointments
• help replacing documents or cards

You do not have to decide everything in one conversation.

• If the person harming you monitors your phone, email, or internet use, be careful about browsing history and messages.
• If possible, use a safer device or private browsing mode, but remember that no digital method is fully secure.
• If you are worried about retaliation, plan around times when the other person is away or distracted.
• If you depend on the person for care, money, or housing, leaving may need to happen in stages.
• If you are helping an older adult, avoid pressuring them to act before they are ready. Support and choice matter.

You can help by:

• listening without judgment
• believing their experience
• asking what feels safest right now
• offering practical help, like rides, a phone, or a place to store documents
• not contacting the suspected abuser unless the survivor asks you to
• respecting their pace and decisions

Helpful phrases:

• “I’m glad you told me.”
• “You don’t have to handle this alone.”
• “What would feel safest for you today?”
• “I can help you look at options without making decisions for you.”

Because this is a resource page rather than a case report, there may be no public details about specific services, eligibility, or local availability from the source alone. Support options can also vary by province, territory, and community, so it is important to confirm current local contacts before relying on them.

If a service is unavailable or not a fit, that does not mean help is unavailable. It may mean you need a different doorway into support.

• CNPEA Get Help resource: start here for elder abuse information and referral pathways.
• Emergency services: if you are in immediate danger.
• Local elder abuse, victim services, or adult protection services: for safety planning and intervention.
• Health care providers: for injuries, documentation, and referrals.
• Legal aid or community legal clinics: for financial abuse, housing, consent, or protection order questions.

If you are living with abuse, fear, or control, you deserve support that is calm, respectful, and on your terms. You do not need to wait until things get worse to ask for help.