Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement reflects the abuse suffered by the most vulnerable population of elders in the small communities. Elder abuse is a single action or repeated action or a lack of action that causes harm or distress to an older person. This abuse could be a single incident or several incidents over time. Often, more than one type of abuse is experienced by the victims. This population of elders are older and have serious mobility issues, like being confined to wheelchairs, walkers, or simply cannot walk long distances through stores. They then give out their bank cards and associated details to their caregiver, or it could be another family member. More than likely, it's someone they assume they can trust.
Another form of abuse I have been hearing about is neglect. When a family member is tasked with caring for their elderly parent at their home, they usually leave the elderly parent at a friend's home while they go out of town, sometimes up to several days, with the elder's bank card. Mr. Speaker, this form of abuse of the elderly population is most likely prevalent in many small communities, as it is in my community. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for seniors at the appropriate time. Mahsi.