An operation to fight the isolation of the elderly

As part of the International Day of Seniors, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) unveiled a positive assessment of its operation “Visit an isolated elderly person” which it carried out across the country in July.

During this operation, all neighborhood stations went door-to-door with mixed teams made up of civilian employees, cadets, police officers and local responders to identify isolated elderly people.

Also, workers from 32 different community organizations took part in these visits. They were thus able to ensure personalized follow-up with those who needed it. The teams took the opportunity to raise awareness about the prevention of mistreatment, theft and fraud.

A total of 4,274 people aged 65 and over were interviewed, 910 of whom were over 80 years old.

“The SPVM, the Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP) and their partners were very concerned about the precarious situation that confinement had created for certain vulnerable seniors, more particularly for those living alone, isolated in their home or not known to health, social or community services, ”one explains in a press release.

According to the SPVM, many people visited were indeed experiencing periods of loneliness and severe psychological distress.

Notable stories

Thanks to the vigilance of a duo of patrollers and their colleagues, a 65-year-old man with untreated mental and physical health issues was admitted to the emergency room.

Also, a 90-year-old woman was the victim of sexual assault by a trusted person outside her family. Although she did not file a complaint, the ill-treatment ceased and non-judicial measures were taken following the door-to-door operation.

Another 82-year-old woman was under the control of a 62-year-old man living with her and claiming to be her attendant. The police found that she was living in unworthy conditions and in unsustainable conditions.

The workers from Urgence psychosociale-justice (UPS-J), Urgences-santé and the patrollers succeeded in convincing this person to receive help from the CLSC and a community organization to put an end to this mistreatment.

A second door-to-door operation with isolated seniors is planned for 2021.

13,600

Number of doors the mixed team knocked on during the operation from July 5 to August 7.