Dear Editor,
It’s with no lack of concern that I read the RCMP report in the July 4 edition of the Stettler Independent, which notes “a mentally disturbed elderly female on 51 Avenue” contacted the detachment on three occasions that week.
It’s not a new development, as a similar report appeared in previous weeks.
My immediate question is: “Does anybody care about the senior; is there no one — no social worker or health professional or family member — who can obtain help for this person?”
Elder abuse and/or elder neglect comes to mind in this case, and surely we can offer more than that to our elderly citizens. But I don’t know the details; perhaps everything possible is already being done. If so, a big thank you — as mental-health issues aren’t an easy thing to deal with at the best of times.
Secondly, it’s no small concern that an individual who is evidently innocent is being incriminated by a disturbed caller.
I would be most surprised if the police are the only ones hearing about this. Does anybody care about his integrity?
Thirdly, would someone who has knowledge of how to deal with these issues please respond to this letter. I personally would benefit from fresh knowledge on how to handle a case such as this, if it were to happen in my own family. I’m quite sure that a good number of others would, too.
There is help available — everyone knows that — but who do we talk to? What is the process?
With the sincere hope that it will soon be reported that help has been provided for this elderly lady …
Claude Dupont,
Stettler