Any affected individual (older adult, caregiver, family member, practitioner, etc.) may call the helpline between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 7 days a week. They will speak to a social worker (or the equivalent) specialized in elder mistreatment, who can:
- listen and offer support
- provide information
- complete a phone assessment of the situation
- carry out crisis and emergency intervention
- make follow-up phone calls, if necessary
- refer them to the most appropriate organization, if necessary
- provide a professional consultation service to practitioners
1-888-489-2287
The LAAA (Elder Mistreatment Helpline) is a free, confidential and bilingual service (English and French). If you have any questions regarding a situation of elder mistreatment, we invite you to contact us by phone so that our staff may fully assess your situation and needs, and provide the most appropriate assistance.
To contact us:
514-489-2287
or 1-888-489-2287
The Ligne Aide Abus Aînés is a provincial helpline and referral service for those seeking support and information in cases of elder mistreatment. We provide services to a variety of clienteles, including the general public, professionals and trainers specialized in elder mistreatment.
“Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.”
The Toronto Declaration on the Global Prevention of Elder Abuse (2002), World Health Organization
Press release
The Elder Mistreatment Helpline: 7 years of listening to fight elder abuse
Montréal September 29, 2017 – A provincial specialized telephone help and referral line to help elder abuse victims, the Elder Mistreatment Helpine (LAAA), célébrâtes seven years of operation on October 1st 2017. As in previous years, the LAAA continues to receive an even greater number of calls from members of the public in a situation of abuse.
“We are proud of the work accomplished and will continue to counter abuse in Québec”, declared Sylvie Bouchard, the coordinator of the LAAA. “Processing close to 29,000 calls from the population since the launch of this service, and over 1,800 Professional consultations requests, the Elder Mistreatment Helpine is now considered an essential resource”, adds Ms. Bouchard.
There was a notable increase in the number of calls to the Elder Mistreatment Helpline during the first eight months of 2017. For the period of January 1st to August 31st, the LAAA received 3,483 calls, which represents a monthly average of 435 processed calls. In 2016, for the same period, the LAAA received 2,576 calls representing a monthly average of 322 processed calls.
Since January 2017, the main types of abuse reported to the helpline were financial and material mistreatment (35% of calls), psychological abuse (close to 30% of calls) and violation of human rights (15% if calls). Finally, 20% of calls concern physical, organizational, sexual and ageism abuse.
“Ever since its launch, the Elder Mistreatment Helpline has played a key role in providing much-needed assistance to vulnerable seniors who are a victim of abuse”, says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, President and CEO of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. “This is characteristic of our CIUSSS to provide the elderly not only with medical treatment, but with a broad range of essential healthcare and social services that meet their evolving needs in a wide range of circumstances.”
