Hidden & Invisible: Seniors Abuse in BC

We care about our seniors, or on the surface, we appear to care deeply about the older adults in our community. The depth of this commitment was on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic as we saw tens of thousands of people step forward to ensure seniors received their medications, groceries and remained connected through friendly phone calls and wellness checks. Public concern about the dignity and safety of frail seniors who live in long-term care were heard by governments at all levels and commitments to improve were quickly promised.

While we appear to care, those who track abuse and neglect of seniors have tracked a five-year pattern of significantly increasing reports of seniors’ abuse and neglect. In the past three to five years, according to the senior advocate we have  experienced:

•        49% increase in reports of abuse, neglect and self-neglect to Designated Agencies

•        69% increase in reports of victims of violent crime to the RCMP

•        87% increase in reports of physical abuse and 49% increase of financial abuse to the Vancouver Police Force

•        30% increase in reports of abuse to bc211

•        5% increase in reports to the Seniors Abuse and Information Line

There is a concern that the reporting and tracking system in BC is fragmented and incomplete leaving many to believe there is significant under-reporting of abuse and neglect among older adults. Supporting this assumption of under-reporting is the number of suspected reports of child abuse reported each year compared to reported cases of suspected seniors’ abuse. While both population groups are of similar size, there is an average of 60,000 such reports made for children and youth each year compared to less than 10,000 reports of suspected abuse and neglect of seniors.

In a survey, when asked if they have ever witnessed a senior subjected to abuse and neglect, 28% of British Columbians reported they have and although over 90% believe they would report abuse if they witnessed it, less than half actually do. There are a number of systemic challenges in our current adult abuse and neglect system that are limiting the potential for British Columbians to effectively identify and report suspected abuse and neglect of seniors.

While there are a number of resources to identify and report seniors’ abuse and neglect, there is no cohesive provincial approach to support the public in their desire to identify and report seniors’ abuse and neglect. A review in 2021 by the Senior Advocate found a lack of standardization in defining seniors’ abuse and neglect, no current plan to raise public awareness and a fragmented reporting system that does not produce the reliable data needed to assess patterns, identify gaps, make improvements and measure progress. There was also clear evidence, however, that our current system can be effective and many of the basic tenants are sound. The challenge is that the system is not reliably effective, and many vulnerable seniors may be falling through the cracks.

The review examined the protections that exist for BC seniors, the prevalence of seniors’ abuse and neglect, the method of reporting abuse and neglect, and the response to reports of seniors’ abuse and neglect. The report examined current legislative protections, assesses reporting practices, reviews five years of existing data, consults with 144 stakeholders in 25 communities throughout BC, and surveys over 1500 British Columbians.

The report includes five recommendations:

1.     Establish provincial standards of practice, policies, and front-line training to respond to seniors’ abuse and neglect

2.     Create province-wide public awareness initiatives and training on seniors’ abuse and neglect

3.     Develop a central, single point of contact to report calls of concern of seniors’ abuse and neglect

4.     Ensure consistent data collection, methods, and definitions to record, track and monitor abuse and neglect cases

5.     Undertake a full comprehensive review of the Adult Guardianship Act

Today is National Elder Abuse Awareness Day,

Today is National Elder Abuse Awareness Day, in a month that is set aside for Elder Abuse Recognition. Many groups and agencies across Canada and the US have had events to publicize and help us recognize Elder abuse so we can take steps to stop it. 

Ageism is a contributing factor to elder abuse. Sometimes ageist remarks are unintentionally made or an older adult is treated dismissively. We all need to help seniors feel connected to their families and communities; to feel welcome and included. We need to speak out, speak up and take action. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is one of many opportunities to do so.

Elder abuse is defined as a single or repeated act, or a lack of appropriate action, often occurring in a situation of trust, that causes harm or distress to an older person. Perpetrators may increasingly isolate their victim and older people often suffer in silence, too afraid, ashamed, isolated or dependent on their perpetrator (who may be their caregiver or adult child) to seek assistance.

Ending elder abuse requires changing attitudes about aging and older people, on both a personal and a societal level. We all need to do our part and make an effort to ensure that older British Columbians are supported to be healthy, to be active, to be safe, and to live with dignity. I would like to echo our Premier who said: “Ending violence takes all of us to decide to challenge attitudes, and change behaviour to prevent it from happening in the first place.” This is true whether the abuse includes physical violence, emotional or psychological harassment, financial exploitation or neglect of an older person.

In BC, if you or someone you know is being abused, or if you want information about this serious public health issue, call the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL), operated through the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support. Call 604-437-1940 in Vancouver or 1-866-437-1940, toll free, from anywhere in the province, any day from 8 am to 8 pm daily, excluding statutory holidays. Translation and TYY are available.

The Government of British Columbia has made elder abuse prevention a priority. For information and practical resources, including brochures in English, French, Chinese and Punjabi, please visit the Seniors BC Elder Abuse page.

Thoughts on Elder Abuse

Today is voting day in Canada, if you are eligible to vote, make sure that you do. This is an important election for Canadians and for those of us who want to protect our seniors.

 There are many kinds of elder abuse:
• Financial
• Physical
• Psychological or emotional
• Sexual
• Spiritual
• Institutional
• Neglect
• Chemical (medications

Financial abuse is one of many kinds of abuse. Sometimes an adult who is being financially abused is a victim of other forms of abuse by the same person or others.

Many Seniors fall victim to Fraud or Scams so what is the difference between the two terms?

The two words Fraud and Scams,  can be used interchangeably, to refer to the same thing. “Fraud” is the name of a criminal offense in the Criminal Code of Canada, while “scam” is a more casual popular expression for a consumer rip-off. Both mean that a consumer is being cheated somehow—through overpricing, paying for a service or product that is not actually delivered, or other means.

Some of the most common types of Frauds & Scams that Seniors fall prey to that cheat them out of their money are:
• Money Transfers
• Emergency Scams
• New Best Friend
• Sweepstakes/Lotteries
• Health & Medical Scams
• Home Renovations
• Fake Charities

These are some common strategies used:
MONEY TRANSFERS – People can receive an email or letter from a scammer asking your help to transfer a large amount of money overseas. You are then offered a share of the money if you agree to give them your bank account details to help with the transfer.

EMERGENCY SCAMS – This scam targets grandparents and play upon their emotions to rob them of their money. A senior receives a phone call from a scammer claiming to be one of his/her grandchildren. Callers go on to say that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately.

NEW BEST FRIEND – Isolated people are often the most vulnerable to being taken advantage of financially.

SWEEPSTAKES/LOTTERIES – You should be suspicious if you are told that you won something that you never entered yourself for. Often, scammers will tell you that you have won a prize and need only to pay the taxes or the shipping charges to receive it. These charges are large and you may never receive the item. 

You should never have to pay money to collect a prize. Do not give your credit card number or other personal details to a person claiming to be offering you a prize.

HEALTH & MEDICAL SCAMS – Medical scams offer solutions to where none exist or promise to simplify complex health treatments.

HOME RENOVATIONS – A common scam targeting older adults. Scammers will knock on doors and offer to do home repairs “at a special price.” 

Another door-to-door scam is selling items that might be useless to you—such as heavy, overpriced vacuum cleaners. If you are thinking of buying an item or paying for some repairs to your home, it is best not to make a decision on the spot but to get the contact information for the business, then look it up on the Better Business Bureau to check whether it is legitimate. You may also want to check the prices offered by similar businesses. 
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FAKE CHARITIES – People are asked for donations to often fake charities or by a scammer impersonating a real charity (door-to-door or by phone).

Elder Abuse through Crime and Fraud

Fraud and crime continue to target seniors in communities throughout my province.

These crimes happen in a variety of ways and places - in a senior's own home and increasingly, on social media.  

The BC Government is sharing the following safety tips with B.C. seniors in an effort to reduce these issues. 

Get to know your neighbours. 

• Joining a watch group, such as Block Watch, encourages community cohesiveness and increases awareness of what is happening in the neighbourhood. 
• When out and about in the community, stay in open areas with good  visibility, keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and carry a  cellphone in case of emergency.  

Recognize the signs of elder abuse. 

• Often perpetrators are known to the victim, which can make it even more  difficult for seniors to break the cycle of abuse.
• Prevention begins with the recognition of the signs of elder abuse and  reaching out to someone trusted for help. This can include family,  friends and local authorities.  

Learn how to avoid being defrauded. 

• Personal information, including information on receipts and bank  statements, should be closely monitored and shredded prior to disposal. 
• Only trusted and reputable organizations should be used. These can be  verified by contacting the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for a report.  

Don't over share on social media. 

• More of today's seniors are using social media such as Facebook and  Twitter. 
• Being aware of the risks and taking necessary precautions to keep  information private is essential to creating and maintaining a safe and  enjoyable social media experience.  

For a copy of the BC Crime Prevention Association's 2013 Senior Safety  Booklet, please contact info@bccpa.org 

To learn more about elder abuse, visit the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy  and Support online at:www.bcceas.ca This is a great resource, and as I do workshops for them I highly recommend this resource to you.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15

I missed this so even though it is one day late, I hope you take the time to read the stories of those who have or are under attack by our hospital authorities and others who should be looking after those who need help.

ON THIS DAY WE REMEMBER AND HONOUR these nine people and all other seniors who have suffered, or are still suffering, abuse of their legal and human rights in British Columbia’s health care system, and elsewhere.

   

Please take a few minutes to learn about and to share their stories with other people.

 

DOLORES Brent, Trail, B.C.

GARY Davis, Langley, B.C.

ROLAND Hunter, Vancouver, B.C.

ERNA Luttmer, Vancouver, B.C.

ELDON Mooney, North Vancouver, B.C.

KATHLEEN Palamarek, Victoria, B.C.

HILDA Penner, Abbottsford, B.C.

STEPHEN Piccolo, Kamloops, B.C.

JEAN Wilder, Invermere, B.C.

  

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Help STOP institutional elder abuse – write your elected representatives, voice your concerns online, let others know what’s happening, or… take whatever steps you think will help make a difference to protect seniors’ legal and human rights from abuse by Canadian health care institutions and public agencies.

The Coalition to Support SENIORS AT RISK

Jean Wilder still being held unlawfully--update

Jean Wilder still being held unlawfully, Public Guardian and Trustee applies to seize control of her assets

Received from SENIORSAT RISK

Jean Wilder of Invermere, B.C. is still being held unlawfully by the Interior Health Authority, with the full knowledge and apparent approval of the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C.

No information has been provided to the family, despite repeated requests, about why she is still being held against her will more than three months after she was suddenly confined to Columbia House care facility and her family and friends were banned from visiting.

In our last report on Jean Wilder‘s family’s efforts to protect Jean and her rights, Marc Normand, Jean’s designated power of attorney, had just submitted the accounts for the two months he has been acting as her POA to the Public Guardian and Trustee’s office, as they had demanded.

In his submission to the PGT of the accounting statements, Marc Normand  asked the PGT for information about the unsubstantiated non-specific allegations made about him by the PGT in a “referral”, and requested information that would confirm the legal status of Jean Wilder, who the family views as being held unlawfully and without cause.

To this day, the PGT has apparently not provided one iota of evidence to Marc Normand that he has acted improperly in managing Jean Wilder’s assets. The PGT alleges that someone has accused him of something in a “referral”, but no one from the PGT has provided any substance to confirm, or information about, the “referral” allegations.

Public Guardian misleads Wilder family

The PGT had given Marc Normand to May 10, 2012, a discourteous and unreasonable deadline (one week) to submit the accounting, but he did manage to comply with that deadline.

Then, on May 17th, Marc Normand received a stunning letter in the mail. In the PGT’s response, Launa Monette, a Regional Consultant in the PGT’s Kelowna office, states:

“I have completed my assessment and have determined that our office will be taking steps to apply as Jean Wilder’s Committee of Estate in order to assist with the management of Jean Wilder’s financial and legal affairs. Thank you for the assistance you have provided. … “

With that, the PGT signaled that they will be seeking to declare Jean Yukiko Wilder incapable, and to seize control of her assets. And what is to be made of the threat to manage not just her money but also her “legal affairs“? This is no idle threat;  approval of a PGT application for committeeship is normally just a formality in the B.C. Supreme Court.

It appears, however, that the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. has attempted to mislead Mr. Normand and the Wilder family by claiming to have assessed the accounting statements they did not yet have.

Launa Monette’s letter was dated May 10, 2012, the same day the accounts were due. The PGT could not possibly have reviewed the accounting statements as Monette claims she did – because the PGT had not even received the records yet.

Marc Normand delivered his letter and accounts by email at the end of the day on Thursday, May 10th, just before the PGT office closed. He immediately received an autoreply email from Monette that said she was out of the office and would not be back until Monday, May 14th. A few minutes later, Mr. Normand telephoned Ms. Monette’s office and was told that Ms. Monette had already left for the day and would not be back until the following Monday.

The response from the PGT also suggests that the Public Guardian and Trustee’s office had already decided not to accept Marc Normand’s set of accounts, regardless of what they contained, and that the PGT had already decided to seize control of Jean Wilder – irrespective of whether her finances were being properly managed.

The language chosen by Launa Monette appears to be designed to further mislead the Wilder family. She states that the PGT will be applying to become Jean Wilder’s Committee of Estate in order to “assist with the management of Jean Wilder’s financial and legal affairs”.

Who, precisely, will they be assisting? A Committee, by definition, is the person in charge, the person who makes the decisions, not someone who “assists”.

Family sends PGT formal notice objecting to take-over of Jean Wilder’s estate

On May 23, 2012 Jean’s daughter Trina Wilder, husband Curtis Wilder and POA Marc Normand sent a letter to the Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. formally    objecting to the PGT’s intention to apply for Committeeship of Jean Wilder’s estate.

In their letter the family pleads for information, and expresses the impact of bureaucratic “bullying”:

“The Public Guardian and Trustee and the Interior Health Authority have done quite enough already to destroy her quality of life and well-being, and to disrupt our interactions with Jean.

We oppose your actions. We will take whatever steps we can to stop these bullying and deceptive practices so that we can prevent further harm to Jean and our family.”

Over a week later, there had still been no response from Monette or anyone in the Public Guardian and Trustee’s office.

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Help STOP institutional elder abuse – write your elected representatives, voice your concerns online, let others know what’s happening, or… take whatever steps you think will help make a difference to protect seniors’ legal and human rights from abuse by Canadian health care institutions and public agencies.

The Coalition to Support SENIORS AT RISK

Updated Seniors at Risk in BC

"Just to be clear, in my view this is not about more funding. It doesn’t cost more to treat a resident [or patient, family] with respect and dignity. This is about a change in culture.”

Ontario Minister of Health Deb Matthews, May 2012

For More information on this go here
Two more incidents this week reveal a disturbing and growing trend by health care facilities and health care authorities in British Columbia to intimidate and bully visitors.


Jean Wilder Case – visitor banning and police intimidation
In early March, 2012 family and friends of Jean Wilder were suddenly banned by staff at the Invermere, B.C. residential care facility where she had recently been transferred following complications from surgery. The ban occurred immediately after the family asked the care facility for, and were refused, health and medication records, and an explanation of what pre-authorized payment of fees would cover.


Though family and friends lodged official complaints two months ago, they are still awaiting responses. Neither the care facility, the health authority nor the Public Guardian and Trustee have provided any response to complaints that Jean Wilder is being held unlawfully.


Since the ban was introduced, care facility staff have repeatedly called police in an effort to prevent family and friends from visiting Mrs. Wilder. Family and friends feel they are being intimidated by the police, and say that Jean Wilder is being negatively affected by the separation from friends and family, and by the isolation imposed on her as a result of not being allowed to leave the residential facility.


UPDATE:  Ed and Ida Rivers, long-time friends of Jean Wilder, who submitted an official complaint to the health authority on March 24th, submitted a hand-delivered letter of complaint to the care facility site manager on May 25th. On May 29th, four days after their letter of complaint was delivered, site manager Sharon Carroll handed Ed Rivers this response from Interior Health. The health authority letter is dated May 24, apparently back-dated, misrepresenting the order in which the letters were issued so that it appears as if the the health authority had written their letter first.


The site manager’s letter makes broad, blanket allegations about Mr. Rivers but provides no specific evidence substantiating their claims. Ed Rivers denies Interior Health’s allegations that his behaviour has been inappropriate, that he is a threat to staff or residents, or that he inappropriately requested Jean Wilder’s medical records. He acknowledges that he was present in some meetings with staff in which the family requested medical information but says that Jean Wilder and her family wanted him at the meetings.


Banning decisions by facility staff not constrained by guidelines or substantiation
For any perceived slights and infractions, however minor, or even when asked inconvenient questions, staff in B.C.’s health care and residential care facilities apparently have full authority, accountable to no-one, to restrict or ban visitors from seeing their loved ones.


No evidence is required. No means of appeal is available other than the long, winding route of filing complaints with bureaucratic committees. The B.C. Patient Care Quality Program review board and health authority committees operate at great length from individual health care facility operators who make these decisions to ban visitors. Decisions from Patient Care Quality Committees come many months after-the-fact, sometimes long after patients have left facilities, or died.


Apparently, this trend toward aggressively banning family and friends from health care and residential care facilities is taking hold in Alberta as well. In subsequent postings, we hope to share with you the outcome of the May 4th meeting convened by the Elder Advocates of Alberta.
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Help STOP institutional elder abuse – write your elected representatives, voice your concerns online, let others know what’s happening, or… take whatever steps you think will help make a difference to protect seniors’ legal and human rights from abuse by Canadian healthcare institutions and public agencies.

The Coalition to Support SENIORS AT RISK 



However, there is some hope as the courts are starting to help some seniors who have been victim of this change in attitude by our Hospitals

A reader sent us another, more detailed, story about the court award for false arrest at Lions Gate Hospital (excerpts below). Mr. Park’s elderly mother died of cancer “soon after the ordeal.”

This story describes the attitude and rough treatment of patients and visitors by staff, doctors and police, something that is apparently becoming more common in B.C.'s health care facilities.

By Todd Coyne – North Shore Outlook  Published: May 10, 2012

"A former District of North Vancouver council candidate was awarded $15,000 in damages Thursday after winning his lawsuit against the RCMP for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. …

 “Cpl. Norman took Mr. Park to the ground with the assistance of another officer and two or three security guards where he was restrained, held down and handcuffed,” the judge ruled.

 “I characterize her actions as inattentiveness to rights, lack of care about her grounds for arrest and the authority for which she attended the hospital and the manner in which she treated Mr. Park after the arrest — keeping him for more than four hours completely unnecessarily.”

On June 5, 2006, Park had accompanied his elderly, cancer-stricken mother to the chemotherapy department at Lions Gate Hospital. While they did not have an appointment on this particular day, Park and his mother were in the habit of dropping in and speaking with her doctor — a habit that caused “something of a nuisance to the oncologist,” according to court documents.

This time the doctor flatly refused to speak with Park and his mother and threatened to call security if they did not leave the department.

Park and his mother decided to complain to hospital administration but were stopped on their way by two Paladin Security guards who told them to leave the hospital and that police were on their way.

During case proceedings in November, the court heard as evidence an audio recording…

When Cpl. Norman refused to let Park leave on the grounds she was investigating a disturbance and now the obstruction of a police officer for Park’s refusal to provide identification, the verbal altercation escalated and Park was forced to the ground and handcuffed in front of his mother and a crowd of hospital staff and attendees.

 “I place emphasis on the following: Mr. Park was arrested in the presence of his ailing mother who was dying of cancer,” Judge Baird Ellan explained before announcing the damages.

“If Cpl. Norman had just asked Mr. Park to go outside with her and discuss the problem it likely would have been diffused. She acted insensitively not only to Mr. Park but to his mother whom she knew was both present and a patient at the hospital. I can conclude that it would have been traumatizing to the mother… to see her son taken down and carted away.” …

Soon after the ordeal, Park’s mother succumbed to her illness …”

Read more here

Could this be you?

One of British Columbia's health authorities is disregarding the legal rights of Jean Wilder, a 60-year-old wife and mother of two. She was transferred to a residential care facility to recuperate from surgical complications. However, she is now being held there against her will, kept isolated from her family and friends, and prevented from seeing a lawyer. And, incredibly, the government has seized control of her real estate assets! All of this is being done without due process, without formal notification to Jean Wilder or her family, and above all, with NO explanation or justification.

A news release from SENIORS AT RISK explaining Jean Wilder's story is below

Sadly, this is not an uncommon experience across BC and elsewhere in Canada. The Coalition to Support SENIORS AT RISK has compiled documented evidence of numerous cases where seniors' rights, freedoms and assets have been improperly and illegally expropriated by provincial governments and health authorities. Families hope that care homes will somehow enhance the final years of life for their loved ones. Sometimes that happens, but too often, the opposite happens. We assume an individual's legal and human rights are protected but, in practice, they often just aren't.

This could very possibly happen to your family member... or to you! – Regardless of age, family status, income level or geographic region. Do you have family in care? How long might it be before you're there? To see someone in the bewildering, frightening and seemingly helpless predicament that Jean Wilder and her family are in now brings out our compassion, and we hope yours too.

What can you do? Please speak up to help restore Jean Wilder's rights and freedoms.

Individual families on their own cannot overcome the inertia and power of government agencies. With or without a lawyer, the task is too daunting for seniors and families to handle on their own. They need our moral support, and the collective strength of our voices behind them. So all we ask is a few minutes of your time to send a letter or email to the government officials who are responsible for residential care facilities and the conduct of public officials.

Just send a letter along with the News Release describing Jean Wilder’s plight to the government officials identified on the Webpage at this link. You can also send a letter to your own MLA or anyone else that you think should be informed about this situation.

Oh, and one more thing, please let other people know. People need to know that this is happening.

This is your opportunity to help Jean Wilder and her family, and in turn, help us all avoid a similar fate. Taking a little time to read what has happened to Jean Wilder could pay back big dividends if (when) you or your family have to navigate the senior health care system.

Our health, freedoms and security are at stake if we don’t stand up against this disturbing trend.

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The Coalition to Support SENIORS AT RISK

Email info@seniorsatrisk.org

www.seniorsatrisk.org

The following is the press release sent out by the Coalition to Support Seniors at Risk

The Coalition to Support Seniors at RiskN e w s R e l e a s e

Residential care facility and Interior Health Authority deny family & lawyer access to 60 year old woman

April 25, 2012 . Invermere, BC.

Jean Wilder, a 60 year ]old wife and mother recently transferred to an Invermere residential care facility following surgery, is being denied the right by the Interior Health Authority to have visits by family and friends. Her family insists she is being kept in the care facility without due process, and against her will.

The care facility, Columbia House, and Interior Health Authority (IHA) are refusing to recognize legal authority held by the family, refusing to provide information, and refusing to permit Mrs. Wilder to have access to a lawyer. The facility did not obtain the consent of Mrs. Wilder or any legal representative to be admitted to Columbia House.

She is being held against her will, and against our wishes say her family, husband Curtis Wilder, daughter Trina Wilder and her partner Marc Normand, and son Tim Wilder. She wants out, so we intend on fulfilling her wishes, h Normand said.

Family members say they were told by the IHA that Mrs. Wilder had to go into the care facility following post ]operative complications because there were no other places or services for her. The situation deteriorated a few weeks after Jean was admitted to Columbia House when the care facility demanded pre ]authorized payment of fees but refused to provide information about fees charged. Marc Normand, the family member who holds Jean Wilder fs Power of Attorney (POA), refused to sign the contract without first receiving that information.

Trying to get a list of all possible charges Jean could face was the start of all our trouble. I couldn ft understand why it is a big deal, says Normand. I need copies of all charges before they occur, as outlined in the Residents f Bill of Rights. While in her (assisted living) apartment, we had a full list of all possible charges that could be charged and debited from her account.  Normand, who had already been paying Mrs. Wilders fees as the bills were presented, says the care facility and health authority then suddenly refused to accept his POA. Shortly thereafter, the family says the care facility refused to provide Jean s medications that she needed to take while on outings away from the facility. Then the staff banned visits by family and friends altogether. No reasons were given.   The family felt they were being stone walled . In an attempt to resolve the impasse, Trina

Wilder and Marc Normand and family friends filed formal complaints with the IHA and the Ombudspersons office. However, despite being identified as urgent, these complaints were merely put into a queue, to be addressed at some later point. Desperately seeking more immediate help, the family contacted local media.   The Invermere Valley Echo interviewed the Regional Director for Residential Care Services for

Interior Health Karen Bloemink to ask why the family was being denied access. Bloemink said  We have an investigation going on related to this resident s personal safety... but I can t give you details.

  However, Bloemink s statement is contradicted by a response by Columbia House Site Manager Sharon Carroll when she was telephoned by Jean s son Tim Wilder who lives in the Lower Mainland. When he asked Ms. Carroll why his mother fs family and friends were being denied visits with his mother, she told him that access was being denied because the staff were frightened of the family. The family had threatened staff. The Wilder family and friends strongly deny these allegations, saying they were actually complimented by staff for being  calm and patient .   The situation quickly escalated. The Public Guardian & Trustee s (PGT) office sent an email to

 Marc Normand saying that Jean should not be seeing lawyers or signing any type of documentation...(which includes a Representation Agreement).   Then, without officially informing either the family or Jean Wilder, the care facility and the Interior Health Authority advised the PGT that they have reason to believe that Mrs. Wilder is incapable of handling her affairs .

  However, just weeks before, Jean Wilder had visited a lawyer who assessed her as being legally capable of appointing someone to be her health care representative, and had drawn up a representation agreement for her. However, Columbia House staff prevented the lawyer from entering the facility to have Mrs. Wilder sign the document.   Then The Public Guardian & Trustee . apparently also without providing any official notice to the family or having followed necessary procedures to obtain approval claimed they had assumed legal authority for Jean Wilder. In a letter to Land Titles, the PGT states that they had been asked gby IHA to take protective measures with regard to her assets . The PGT said they had been told by Columbia House and by the Interior Health Authority that Jean Wilder is  likely incapable . However to date, over a month later, the IHA and the PGT have still not presented any medical opinion to support their claim that Mrs. Wilder is likely incapable. Yet her property, jointly owned with her husband, is encumbered by a lien placed by the PGT. She is not permitted access to a lawyer, and her designated POA is not permitted to act, or even see her. Mrs. Wilder remains in Columbia House, and is under increasingly restrictive actions against her and her family. They worry about her care and well being, including whether she is being overmedicated.   

Shortly after she was sent to Columbia House, Jean Wilder requested that her family be provided with her medical information. The family also requested information, specifically Mrs. Wilder fs Care Plan and Medication List. The care facility refused to provide any medical information to either Jean Wilder or her family.   After the dispute about pre authorized payment, the care facility refused to provide medication for Mrs. Wilder to take with her on trips outside the facility as had been done before. As a result, Mrs. Wilder was effectively prevented from going out because the family felt it wasn t safe to do so without her medication.

  After the family protested the ban on visits, the care facility permitted just Mrs. Wilder fs daughter to visit, but only under very restricted terms: no private visits are allowed (a guard is present at all times), and the visits must take place outside of her mother fs room. No one except staff is permitted to even enter Jean Wilder s room. No reasons or explanations have been given.   Family members say that Jean Wilder told them gone of the staff threatened me, telling me

 If you keep on asking to leave here, we are not going to let you see your daughter again.  In a formal complaint filed with the IHA, daughter Trina Wilder asks in bewilderment and distress: 

Why are we finding Mom crying and looking for someone to help her go to the bathroom? Why are all the staff and managers banning us for trying to help Mom? My Mom wants Marc, and wants to know why he is not coming in. I refuse to lie to Mom about what is happening, and she said Take me out of here . My Mom wants and needs Marc to help her. My mom, me and my brother and dad all agree that Marc has the skills to handle mom s business. . Why, when we are trying to talk to Mom about her business, are staff members interrupting us? WHY? WHY? WHY?   

Interior Health promised the Wilder family information by April 20, 2012. They have not contacted the family or provided any further information as of the date of this News Release. Documents referred to here can be viewed at www.seniorsatrisk.org

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