Police in West Vancouver are telling elderly folks to seek help if they think they are being abused by people who are supposed to be looking after them.
Cpl. Fred Harding of the West Vancouver Police believes the elderly and the ill are being victimized more than anyone realizes. He said they can help themselves by letting authorities know.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about,'' said Harding. "If you are being victimized, come forward," he said. "Let us know your story. Let us know how we can help."
Concerns were raised Tuesday after the trial of a Vancouver home care worker, who has been charged with stealing from her terminally ill cancer patient, was put off until July 16.
Maureen Jordan's lawyer asked for more time to present her case or statement.
West Vancouver police allege that Jordan stole money from a 73-year-old woman, who is dying of cancer, by writing $1,200 cheques in her name and then cashing the cheques without the patient's permission.
Jordan, who worked for a home support company hired by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, is charged with theft, fraud and three counts of forging documents, according to statements filed in a Vancouver provincial court.
Jordan, 50, has no previous charges and told CTV News that she has a gambling problem.
"I'm a good person. I started to gamble and it took advantage of me," Jordan said. "It took over my life. Okay?"
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
However, Harding supports the idea of a province-wide registry to ensure convicted caregivers never work in the industry again. It's something the provincial government told CTV it is working on, but it will take some time to set it up because of privacy issues.
Jordan told CTV reporter Peter Grainger it was none of his business when he asked if she intended on continuing work as a caregiver, despite the current fraud charges.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Peter Grainger
