'Gut-wrenching' footage prompts Ottawa police to warn families about elder abuse

After an Ottawa man captured videohis elderly grandfather beingpunched in the head by a personal supportworker in a care facility, Ottawa police are reminding people to beware of and protect their loved ones from elder abuse.

The family of 89-year-oldGeorges Karaminstalled a surveillance camera in his room atGarry J. Armstrong Home a city-run long-term care facility which recorded the assault last March.

"It's heartbreaking because it's a senior someone that is vulnerable," said Det. Anne Menard of the Ottawa police elder abuse unit on CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.

"This gentleman suffers from dementiaand is not cognizant of his own actions, therefore he's even more vulnerable."

The worker was arrested and charged after the incidentand pleaded guilty to assault last week.

Menardsaid it's mandatory for long-term care homes to report any type of abuse to police under provincial law.Ottawa police investigate dozens of elder abuse cases across the city every year.

"Quite often, unfortunately, it's a loved one so someone close to the senior, whether it's a son, a daughter, the power of attorney. It can be a neighbour. Someone that they trust, unfortunately, will often offend. And like in these cases, sometimes it can be a worker in a home," she said.

Daniel Nassrallah,Karam's grandson, spoke with CBC Radio'sAs It Happensabout what it was like to watch the footage of his grandfather and the worker who was trying to removethe elderly man'sdiaper:

"Gut-wrenching. When I actually saw the video on the evening of March 8, 2017, I went to stand up and I literally collapsed. My legs gave way.And I could tell you, as his grandson and in my capacity as a lawyer, you're never prepared for something like that."

Advice for seniors and families

While installing a camera resulted in criminal charges in this case, Menardstops short of recommending this course of action outright.

"Yes and no. I mean police-wise, of course it's great evidence. But the families have to be cognizant that sometimes their loved ones will have to bechanged, therefore there areprivacy issues there. So they need to sort of look at that as well," she said.

When physical abuse happens, police will work with seniors and their families to decide if they want to pursue charges.

"The reluctance sometimes comes because they don't want their loved one to have to go through a long, lengthy court process," said Menard.

"Having to testify is very stressful. Having to tell in front of strangers their story and what happened to them is very stressful. There's also the fact that they're afraid it's just going to make matters worse in the home."

Menard callselder abuse a "sad and disturbing" reality, and she advises seniors to get as much paperwork in orderlike their will and banking information while they're healthy to avoid being abused or exploited later on.

Most importantly, seniors need to be mindfulwho they trust with that information. "You really have to be careful and make sure that that person will have your best interests at heart," she said.