Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to talk about elder abuse. Mr. Speaker, too often elders are mistreated by the people responsible for their care. Rates of elder abuse increased during the pandemic. There were national reports of residents in care who had not been bathed in weeks, lack of pain treatment, and little or no turning of patients, and people going hungry. Now, there's an urgent need to improve the lives of elders in the healthcare system and at home across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, elders are our teachers. They carry traditional knowledge that we need to learn from. We must care for them. Some of our elders are living from feast to famine, surviving off their pension only to find themselves abandoned once it's gone. Mr. Speaker, I've heard about people pressuring elders for pension cheque money. It's like they are trapped, and their money belongs to others. There's no one to offer a helping hand or shovel snow, do the shopping, or simply sit and eat with them.
Mr. Speaker, in communities some people are speaking out, and in my riding fear of speaking out keeps people from addressing these problems. Drugs have made their way into our communities, and users are taking advantage of the elders. Mr. Speaker, the Dene Nation has a campaign for the prevention of abuse and family violence, but I want to know how the Department of Health and Social Services will support our communities to ensure elders are safe, respected, and cared for. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
