Events

My World...Your World...Our World - Free of Elder Abuse

Come join us for conversation, refreshments and door prizes on the 5th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Learn more about:

• History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

• Programs and resources available in our community

• Tour of Kerby Shelter

When: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Kerby Centre (1133 - 7 Avenue SW), Lounge

Cost: Free

Limited free parking. C-Train and Bus 10, 17, 101, 104

RSVP to Stephen McKibbon by June 9^th at 403-283-3013 ext. 246 or smckibbon@endviolence.ca

Show the world you care about ending elder abuse by wearing something purple on June 15, 2010

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 15, 2009— The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the launch of a national awareness campaign on elder abuse, as well as a Federal Elder Abuse Initiative call for proposals. Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the announcement of these initiatives builds upon the Government of Canada’s work to improve the lives of seniors.

“Seniors from all walks of life are vulnerable to elder abuse, and it’s happening in communities across Canada,” said Minister Finley. “This national advertising campaign and call for proposals highlight our government’s commitment to raising awareness as a means of combating the abuse of older adults.”

According to recent Government of Canada public opinion research on elder abuse, 96 percent of Canadians think most of the abuse experienced by older adults is hidden or goes undetected. It is estimated that between four and 10 percent of seniors – about 345,000 older people – in Canada experience some kind of abuse.

“As a society that honours its seniors, we cannot and must not tolerate elder abuse,” said Minister LeBreton. “That is why our government is collaborating with provinces and territories, professional associations and non-governmental organizations to combat elder abuse and ensure that the quality of life of seniors is not diminished by abuse of any kind.”

 The national advertising campaign, entitled Elder Abuse – It’s Time To Face The Reality, focuses  on creating awareness of elder abuse and its many forms: physical, financial, psychological and sexual. The campaign includes television, Internet and print advertisements. The campaign will run from June 15, 2009 until early July and again later this year. For more information on the campaign, and to view the television advertisement visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

The call for proposals under the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative will be open from June 15, 2009 to July 24, 2009. The call invites professional associations to apply for funding to adapt, customize and disseminate elder abuse materials for use throughout their organizations. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the call for proposals will fund up to 10 national and Quebec professional associations. The maximum funding is $200,000 per project, over 24 months. To learn more about the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative call for proposals or to apply for funding, visit www.seniors.gc.ca.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY June 15^th

“My World…Your World… Our World – Free of Elder Abuse”

The key objective of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is to raise awareness of elder abuse throughout the world.

This special day is a time to share information, increase knowledge, discuss the issue of abuse of older adults, and become involved. Canada has been recognized internationally as a leader in raising public awareness of abuse of older adults and in developing innovative and respectful approaches to dealing with the issue.

Many Canadian Communities are using June 15th as an opportunity to recog­nize local and regional efforts that are being made to raise awareness of abuse of older adults.

Never ignore elder abuse.

·  Elder abuse is often hidden.

·  Ageism (age discrimination) is a major cause of elder abuse. 

· Education and training will increase our communities capacity to recognize elder abuse

    and respond effectively.

· Empowering older persons is an effective tool in the response to elder abuse; protecting themselves through awareness of their rights, available services and resources.

More information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day can be accessed through the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) at:

http://www.inpea.net/weaad.html

Elder Abuse Awareness Funding provides contribution funding to help non-profit organizations develop national, provincial, territorial, or regional awareness activities for seniors, their families, and service providers in order to help prevent the abuse of older adults.

For this Call, contribution funding up to $100,000 is available for regional projects that raise awareness of the abuse for older adults in Canadian society.

Non-profit organizations are invited to apply for funding through Calls for Proposals.  Each Call has specific eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and funding levels.

For more information about eligibility, the application process and developing an application, visit the New Horizons for Seniors website.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, February 23, 2009— The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors), today announced support for 16 projects across Canada under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program to raise awareness of the abuse of older adults.

“The Government of Canada is committed to the well-being of seniors and to combating elder abuse in all its forms, from physical abuse to financial and emotional abuse,” said Minister Finley. “These projects across Canada will support programs and activities that increase awareness of elder abuse while improving the quality of life, safety and security for seniors.”

Today’s announcement represents an investment of more than $4,000,000 to help reduce the incidences of abuse against older adults across the country. Some examples of projects include:

• the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly will undertake a national project to produce and distribute elder abuse prevention, detection and intervention tools and resources for seniors, their families and communities, medical practitioners and other service providers;

• the Community Legal Information Association of Prince Edward Island will develop and distribute legal information and resources to seniors, their families, caregivers and other service providers across the province;

• the Fédération des aînés et aînées francophones du Canada will develop a number of workshops and an awareness campaign development kit adapted to the specific needs of Francophone seniors in minority settings outside Quebec;

• the British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centers will develop awareness raising and educational materials and resources specifically targeted to Aboriginal people to help reduce the incidence of elder abuse within their communities.

"Seniors from all walks of life are vulnerable to elder abuse,” said Minister LeBreton. “We want everyone to know that it cannot and will not be tolerated, and that help is available. Seniors deserve to live with dignity and respect, and we as a government are committed to help ensure that their quality of life is not diminished by abuse of any kind."

The projects announced today fall under the Elder Abuse Awareness component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which supports national and regional projects. With the two other components of New Horizons for Seniors Program—Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance—the overall budget of the Program is now $35 million per year.

Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 4,200projects across Canada, helping seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to benefit our communities. For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.

The Government of Canada has demonstrated its commitment to seniors and to combating elder abuse in all its forms. Budget 2008 announced an investment of $13.3 million over three years to increase awareness of issues surrounding elder abuse, and to provide seniors with assistance in dealing with it.

In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government made a clear commitment to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures:

• Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax savings.
• Providing seniors with $200 million in tax relief by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income
• Funds by 25 percent, in recognition of the impact of the deterioration in market conditions on retirement savings.
• Helping older workers and their families through these tough economic times by investing an additional $60 million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older workers in small cities.
• Providing $400 million over two years, through the Affordable Housing Initiative, for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.
• Establishing an independent Task Force to make recommendations on a cohesive national strategy on financial literacy for Canadians.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development
819-994-5559

Note:  To view the list of approved projects, please click HERE

or:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/community_partnerships/seniors/nhsp/eaa/ap/index.shtml

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Sonia Maryn
Communications
Seniors and Community Supports
780-415-9950

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

The Action Group on Elder Abuse (AGEA) in Calgary began the Pulling Back the Curtain workshops series in March 2008. The first workshop marked the beginning of a community dialogue regarding the development of a comprehensive, coordinated community response model to address the abuse of older persons in Calgary.

In June, more than 80 community stakeholders expressed the need to take action, and agreed to participate in future sessions to work on the development of the response model. A small task force was created to draft the response model.

On October 31, this team presented a draft response model at a workshop session which involved receiving feedback from workshop participants and starting in-depth discussions on steps towards implementing the response model.

“End the Silence. Stop the Violence”, that’s the focus of this year’s Family Violence Prevention Month encouraging Albertans to call the info line at 310-1818 and help those affected by family violence.  If Albertans have questions about family violence or believe someone they know may be dealing with family violence, they can call the info line to find out how they can help. The 24-hour line is toll-free and available seven days a week.  The line offers help in 170 languages through an interpreter service, which improves access to programs for Albertans affected by family violence, in particular immigrant families.

Updated and new family violence resources are available to increase awareness and education on family violence through the Alberta Children and Youth Services website at www.familyviolence.alberta.ca.

Family Violence Prevention Month takes place every November in Alberta. For more information about what you can do to “End the Silence. Stop the Violence,” and to see a listing of events happening across the province visit www.familyviolence.alberta.ca

On September 11th, LEARN gathered community partners for a facilitated discussion on abuse of older persons in our community.  Our goal is to build protocols for a collaborative community response to abuse of older persons in our community.  This first session focused on:

• Reviewing the history of response federally, provincially and locally.
• Completing an environmental scan of agency experience with elder abuse
• Initial input on a network response design

Participants will gather again in October to share resources and mandates and begin drafting a model.