Legal Support & Elder Abuse

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that a person signs to give someone else the authority to make decisions for them if they become mentally incapable. This choice should be made very carefully. The person chosen does not have to be a family member.

There are two kinds of Power of Attorney:

  • Power of Attorney for Personal Care: This document gives the chosen person the legal right to make decisions about health
    care, nutrition, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and safety.
  • Power of Attorney for Property: This document gives the chosen person the legal right to make decisions about money and property (pay a person’s bills, collect money owed to them, maintain or sell their house, or manage their investments)

If a person does not have a Power of Attorney ready and they become mentally incapable to make their own decisions, the government may make decisions for them about medical treatment or moving to a long-term care (LTC) home. More information can be through the Government of Canada’s article, What every older Canadian should know about – powers of attorney (for financial matters and property) and joint bank accounts.

Making a Will

A will is a document that gives instructions for what should happen to a person’s estate (property) after their death. It names a person (an ‘executor’ or an ‘estate trustee’) who will make sure that the deceased person’s debts are paid and that their property goes where their will says it should go.

To get started creating these documents, find a lawyer or paralegal through the legal support section below.

Elder abuse is defined by the World Health Organization as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person”.

There are many types of elder abuse, including financial abuse, financial exploitation, psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a combination of these.

Report Abuse

Call 9-1-1 to report abuse in an emergency when there is a serious injury or when a person is in immediate danger. For non-emergencies, visit Toronto Police Service for more information or call 416-808-2222.

Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee

Anyone can contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee at 1-844-640-3615 to make a report if they suspect abuse. This Office also investigates allegations of incapacity that can result in harm.

More Resources

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO)

EAPO delivers education and training to the public, service providers, front-line workers and care professionals. Call 416-916-6728.

Seniors Safety Line

The Seniors Safety Line is a free, confidential crisis and support line for seniors suffering any kind of abuse or neglect. Counsellors can provide emotional support, safety planning, information and referrals. Contact 1-866-299-1011 for more information.

Toronto Seniors Helpline

Toronto Seniors Helpline provides telephone crisis support and assistance, connection to other services, or a crisis outreach service for seniors. Contact 416-217-2077 for more information.

Ministry of the Attorney General – Victim Support Line

This toll-free multilingual information line provides services to victims of crime. Contact 1-888-579-2888 for more information.

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Treatment Centres

These centres provide care and treatment to help survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence. Contact 1-855-NAV-7238 for more information.

Patient Ombudsman

Through the Patient Ombudsman, a person can get free and confidential help if they have already tried to resolve their complaint with a public hospital, long-term care home or Ontario Health atHome and are still not satisfied. Contact 1-888-321-0339 for more information.

Long-Term Care ACTION Line

Complaints and concerns about long-term care homes should first be raised with the program administrator. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, Ontario’s Long-Term Care ACTION Line may be able to help. Call 1-866-434-0144 for more information.

Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)

Through RHRA, a person can make a report if they suspect that retirement home residents have been harmed or may be harmed because of abuse, neglect, improper care or treatment, unlawful conduct, or that a resident’s money is being misused. Call 1-855-275-7472.

Fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Frauds and scams can happen in person, over the phone or through e-mail.

Scammers often use high pressure tactics and claim that there is a time-sensitive opportunity or an emergency. Sometimes scammers pretend to be working for a business, bank, government agency, or the police. They may even pretend to be a relative. Scammers may try to scare or threaten the person they are trying to scam, or may ask them to keep a “secret” from family and friends. Common scams get people to:

  • share their credit card or bank account PIN numbers
  • send money to help a new love interest or a family member
  • send money or banking information to get a lottery win or prize money, or a job
  • pay for goods or services that have not been ordered
  • invest in opportunities that are too good to be true
  • send money to help a suffering person or business

People who think they may have been a target of fraud or a scam should not feel embarrassed or ashamed. Instead, they should report it and get help.

To report fraud or scams, contact:

To get more information about fraud and scams:

  • Toronto Police Service’s “Reporting and Preventing Fraud”
  • Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: This centre helps victims of fraud with next steps including informing their local police, bank, and credit bureau, keeping copies of emails/evidence, and changing their passwords. The Centre also provides emotional support and information on avoiding fraud in the future. Call 1-888-495-8501 for more information.