Provincial Press Release June 15, 2021 @ 10:14 am published 10:37 am
Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon announces new initiatives for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The government is providing $750,000 to the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to support elder abuse prevention and intervention initiatives. Approximately $650,000 of this funding will help coordinated community responses (CCRs) increase supports for seniors subjected to abuse. CCRs are multidisciplinary partnerships that can include a range of partners, such as local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, health service providers and police services. The council will use the remaining funding to provide ongoing support for grant recipients, explore best practices for data collection and provide enhanced elder abuse awareness training for service providers and responders.
“Seniors built this province and are the strength of Alberta. Unfortunately, they are not always treated with the respect they deserve. Elder abuse is not acceptable, for anyone, and in any form. These new initiatives will unite Alberta’s government with community organizations across the province to take stronger action against elder abuse.” Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing
“Elder abuse is a complex issue that requires a coordinated, collaborative response. Through case management funding, we can support the great work already going on in communities and ensure response services are available for seniors experiencing elder abuse.” Shantel Ottenbreit, chair, Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council
In addition, Alberta’s government is undertaking an engagement with stakeholders and Albertans on elder abuse. This dialogue is intended to update elder abuse responses through better understanding, recognition and prevention at the community level. The first step will be to seek input on a revised provincial definition of elder abuse. Stakeholder engagements will take place over the next few weeks and a public engagement will launch later this year.
Grant recipients
Healthy Families Healthy Futures Society: Athabasca, Westlock, Barrhead – $50,000
Family Violence Action Society: Camrose and District – $50,000
Calgary Rural Primary Care Network: Claresholm region – $50,000
Vulcan Regional Response to Elder Abuse Council: Foothills and Nanton CCRs – $37,000
Hinton Family and Community Support Services – $21,678
Kerby Centre: Calgary Elder Abuse Response – $49,907
Lamont County Region Family and Community Support Services – $50,000
Lloydminster Interval Home Society – $45,000
Medicine Hat Family Services – $36,000
Edmonton Seniors Protection Partnership – $35,000
Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF, St. Albert) – $20,000
St. Aidan’s Housing Society (Fort McMurray) – $39,256
Siksika Health Services – $46,000
Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services – $50,000
Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society (Sundre and region) – $15,950
Enoch Cree Nation – $50,000
Other supports
Alberta’s government has produced several resources to support individuals and organizations as they work to prevent and address elder abuse:
Collaborative Online Resources and Education (CORE) Alberta is an online platform that helps seniors’ organizations improve service delivery by sharing resources and coordinating services. Currently, 28 organizations are using the platform to collaborate on elder abuse prevention.
Addressing Elder Abuse: A Toolkit for Developing a Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse is an extensive resource designed to help communities increase their capacity to address elder abuse.
The Social Isolation resource kit provides tools to help service providers raise awareness about the relationship between social isolation and elder abuse.
Quick facts
Elder abuse is currently defined as any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well-being of an older adult.
Prior to 2020, it was estimated nearly one in 10 Alberta seniors may be abused in some way.
Rates of family violence, including elder abuse, tend to increase during and following natural disasters, public health crises and economic downturns.
It is important to know where to turn if you or someone you know is experiencing family violence.
Call 911 if you, or someone you know, is being abused and is in immediate danger.
The police can apply for an Emergency Protection Order to provide you with immediate protection if you are in imminent danger.
A 24-hour Family Violence Info Line is available at 310-1818 to receive anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
There are three elder abuse shelters in Alberta:
Kerby Rotary Shelter in Calgary – 403-705-3250
Sage Seniors Safe House in Edmonton – 780-702-1520
Elder Abuse Shelter in Red Deer – 403-343-6074
コメント