• Complain, not just verbally, but in the form of faxes and letters to those in charge. Keep the documentation.
  
• Get advice from a legal aid clinic or seniors' advocacy group.
  
• Pursue the matter with the appropriate authorities (police, health inspectors, politicians, etc.) Your local MLA or MPP should be able to identify a government agency or ministry that can help.
  
• Take your case to the justice system, if necessary (e.g. small claims court).

National advocacy contacts:

Canadian Association of Retired Persons
1-800-363-9736
This advocacy group will help direct you to sources in your own region.

Health Canada's National Clearinghouse on Abuse of the Elderly (1-800-267-1291)

Newfoundland: St. John's Resource Centre (709-737-2326 or 1-800-563-5599).
You can call this advocacy group to report cases of abuse or exploitation. The centre has a special section dedicated to reports of elder abuse. ·

Nova Scotia: Senior Secretariat (902-424-4737 or 1-800-670-0065).
You can discuss problems you're experiencing. The government agency may provide guidance.·

P.E.I.: Prince Edward Island Seniors Federation (902-368-9008).

Quebec: Disability. Life. Dignity (514-354-8012)
Actively advocates for people, especially seniors, in retirement residences.

Ontario: Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities (416-489-0146) and the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (416-598-2656).
These groups lobby for seniors in need, particularly the frail elderly in retirement facilities.

Alberta: In the Edmonton area, you can contact Elder Advocates of Alberta (780-438-8314). In the Calgary area, you can contact the advocacy group FAIRE (403-932-5557). These grassroots groups assist seniors. You can also report abuses to this provincial hotline: The Protection for Persons in Care Act (1-888-357-9339). ·

B.C.: If you have problems or concerns, you can call the B.C. Seniors Network and the 411 Seniors Centre Society (604-684-8171). Or you can email the B.C. Seniors Network at ajjones@axion.net. Both of these groups advocate for seniors.

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