Saskatoon Council on Aging Older Adult Abuse Task Force

Older Adult Abuse Prevention Initiatives

Elliot PausJenssen, volunteer coordinator

Saskatoon Council on Aging (1991)Community based organization dedicated to the

promotion of dignity, health, and independence of older adults.

Over 1200 members - older adults and people who work with older adults

A board driven organization

Older adults in key roles

No core funding: dependence on grants

2 Main Functions of SCOA

Resource Centre (phone, drop-in, now web) Handled 7359 requests in 2008 Caregiver information and support Centre Monthly drop-in program for older adults Monthly free blood pressure clinic

Work with local agencies to initiate, implement and evaluate projects useful to older adults in our community

Abuse of the Elderly 1st major issue SCOA addressed, early 90’s Development of Protocol for use by health and

community agencies when older adult abuse is suspected

Financial abuse project study of responses of local financial institutions

to suspected financial abuse financial abuse pamphlet for older adults

Isolation 2nd major project SCOA addressed

Isolation Project with 4 pilot projects 3 community day programs continue today shuttle service discontinued in 1996 but lessons

learned have been useful in development of special needs transportation in Saskatoon

A key strength of the Saskatoon Council on Aging

Some of the health and community agency staff who worked with the Saskatoon Council on Aging on the Abuse of the Elderly and Isolation projects in the 1990’s are now older adults and key players on the Council Board and Older Adult Abuse Task Force

Older Adult Abuse Task Force

Formed in March 2005 Ad hoc committee of the SCOA reporting to the

SCOA Board Part-time coordinator for first few months Volunteer driven

Goals of the Task Force

Increase the awareness of all types of older adult abuse

Address issues faced by older adults living in care situations and by the operators and staff providing care

Advocate for policies that promote prevention of older adult abuse and improve responses to suspected abuse

Advocate that systemic abuse of low income seniors who are in need of care be addressed

3 Working Groups3 Areas of Focus

Working Groups World Older Adult Abuse Awareness Day Older Adults in Care Legal and Financial Issues

Areas of Focus Awareness and Education Program development Advocacy and Policy

Awareness and EducationWorld Older Adult Abuse Awareness Day workshops, media coverage

Older Adult Abuse, Judith Wahl, Executive Director, Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, Toronto, 2006

Older Adult Abuse in Saskatchewan, “Blueprint for Action,” Ron Kruzeniski, Public Guardian and Trustee of Saskatchewan, 2007

Financial Abuse, “Dollars and Sense: Protect Yourself,” 2008

“Building communication within the Circle of Care”Working together towards abuse free care environments for older adults, 2009

Awareness and EducationAgeism

“Ageism: It Does Matter,” Geriatric Grand Rounds & Social Work Week talks, Saskatoon Health Region, 2009

Keynote address at AGM of Jubilee Residences, Inc. Saskatoon, 2009

Saskatoon Council on Aging AGM, 2009 Invitational lectures: College of Medicine, College of

Law, School of Social Work, 2009 Series of 3 articles in SCOA’s monthly column Prime of

Life in The Saskatoon Sun, a weekly newspaper

Awareness and EducationOlder Adult Abuse Task Force

RESOLVE Conference, Saskatoon, Nov. 2006 “Research and education for solutions to violence and abuse”

Federal Provincial Territorial Elder Abuse Working Forum, Vancouver, Nov. 2007 “Advocacy”

Grand Rounds in Saskatoon Health Region, February, 2008 “ Older Adult Abuse Task Force”

United Against Elder Abuse, Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism Conference, Regina, May, 2009 “Saskatoon Council on Aging Inc: Older Adult Abuse Prevention Efforts”

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre, June 15, 2009

Addressing educational needs of caregivers in private care home sector in Saskatoon Senior nursing students surveyed workers in smallest

personal care homes (10 residents or less) aboutinformation needs re caring for residentspreferred method of delivery

Identified topics included dementia, heart and stroke, diabetes, nutrition

Preferred method of delivery – written materials in binder Students prepared information on the identified topics in

written form and delivered it to participating care homes Means of continuing this program are being explored

Education of Older AdultsLooking to the future…..

BCCEAS “Legal Issues for Seniors: A Training Module” in Saskatchewan?

Pro Bono law students reviewed relevant Saskatchewan legislation in

2008-09 prepare powerpoint presentations and deliver

educational sessions to older adults in 2009-10

SCOA will review and consider train the trainer workshops for older adults

Program Development

Volunteer visitor program to isolated residents of personal care homes funding and sustainability are issues

Task Force and potential partners have been

unable to resolve at this time

Advocacy and Policy DevelopmentTrained staff & Abuse Prevention Increased educational requirements and opportunities

for operators of privately owned personal care homes and staff discussions with

personal care home operators teachers of required 16 hour personal care course personal care home consultants

advocacy with Ministers Request to Saskatoon Health Region that training

sessions for special care home staff be opened to personal care home staff (agreed to)

Advocacy and Policy Protection for Persons in

Care Legislation for protection of persons in care We have advocated with previous and current

Ministers of Health Pro Bono Law Student reviewed Protection for

Persons in Care legislation in Manitoba and protection available to persons in care in Saskatchewan

We shared that review and our views with current Minister of Health

Advocacy and Policy Older Adults Living at Risk

Older adults with low incomes and intermediate care needs who “fall between the cracks” and live at risk Article in Coming of Age, SCOA publication Letters and article sent to all MLA’s Meetings with previous and current Ministers and

Opposition critics Advocacy for subsidies to individuals Advocacy for aging in place and for affordable,

inclusive housing with supports for older adults

Advocacy and PolicyOlder Adults with Low IncomesAdvocacy Committee, SCOA Recommendations to Saskatoon City Council

to help older adults with low incomes continue to live in their homes property tax increase deferral program tax abatements for assessment increases arising

from improvements to principal residence to accommodate age-related impairments and disabilities

Advocacy and Policy Seniors’ Issues are a government priority 15.4% of Saskatchewan’s population is 65 and

older Advocacy for a seniors strategy emphasizing

positive images of aging Advocacy for seniors’ secretariat

Policy DevelopmentHealth Region Seniors Strategy

Working with Saskatoon Health Region regarding older adult abuse and the Region’s seniors strategy

2 members on seniors advisory committee of seniors strategy

Advocacy and Policy Financial Abuse of Older Adults

SCOA sent written submission to Industry Canada regarding response of financial institutions to suspected financial abuse

Network building within Saskatoon and area Use of community development approach

invitations to agencies in different sectors focus on strengthening relationships among

service providers, police and older adults consultation and dialogue responding to identified needs

Involvement of older adults in key roles Working to develop an inventory of services

provided by organizations involved with various aspects of older adult abuse

Networking building within the province

United Against Elder Abuse Conference, May, 2009

1st opportunity for groups from across the province to meet in person

1st occasion to meet national leaders and learn what is happening elsewhere in Canada

hosted by the Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism, umbrella organization of Saskatchewan seniors’ groups, with New Horizons for Seniors funding

•An introduction to other agencies in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism Prince Albert and Area Community Against

Family Violence Seniors’ Education Centre, University of Regina South West Council on Aging S.T.O.P.S to Violence

Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism Mission is to contribute to a better quality of life

for Saskatchewan seniors Member organizations

Seniors serving organizations (SK Seniors Fitness Association; SK Seniors Association Inc.; Federation des Aines Fransaskois; Senior Power; Women of the Dawn; Regina Senior Citizens Centre Inc.; Seniors Education Centre, University of Regina; Saskatoon Council on Aging)

Retirees Associations

Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism and Major Elder Abuse Projects Elder Abuse Protocol and Resource Directory, 2004 Busy Bee Networks (Seniors Friendship Program)

2007 ABC’s of Fraud Teaching through Drama: Fraud Awareness Toolkit

for Seniors – under development

Prince Albert and Area Community Against Family Violence Program of PA Co-operative Health Centre and

PA Health Region Works to eliminate violence in relationships and

families CAPV “provides a way for individuals and

organizations to develop innovative, preventative and educational actions to achieve a violence-free society.”

CAPV Elderly Abuse Prevention Committee Annual Elderly Abuse Prevention week Seniors Trade Show, 2005 and Spotlight on

Seniors 11, 2008 One year research contract 2005

survey of older adults’ attitudes to older adult abuse

protocol Awareness and education sessions Advocacy for seniors’ advocate position

Seniors Education Centre, University of Regina

Involved in older adult abuse since the late 1980’s Development and updating Abuse of Older

Adults Awareness Module Presentations on older adult abuse

to RCMP Cadets, Saskatchewan Police College, seniors organizations

With New Horizons funding the Seniors Education Centre is developing

specific presentations for service providers (police, health professionals, social workers), and for older adults and others

handouts for presentations messages and materials for public awareness

campaigns

South West Council on Aging

Member agencies and seniors work together to proactively promote the dignity, health and independence of older persons residing in Southwest Saskatchewan Volunteers, no staff No funding “Building a safe community for seniors” workshop Working on protocol for response to suspected

abuse of older adults

STOPS to Violence

Provincial organization dedicated to supporting partnerships with individuals, communities, organizations and governments

STOPS process based on guiding principles of inclusion, trust, consensus decision making and shared leadership

Community Connections Plan Tools toward a coordinated, consistent, effective community

based response to interpersonal violence and abuse Easy to use process to enable people to intervene and to handle

verbal disclosure

A large step forward in Saskatchewan

Local conversations on abuse of older adults are now occurring at a provincial level

There is recognition of the need for collaboration That now is the time And we are the people