Elder abuse affects up to 10% of Canadian seniors. In Ontario that could be more than 180,000 seniors being abused. Many people are unsure what elder abuse is and how best to help seniors that they believe may be abused.
This week a new set of guidelines are being released. The document is designed to help the general population, community organizations, businesses, and treatment facilities in designing their own policies on how to respond to elder abuse.
Created in partnership with the six Elder Abuse networks in Elgin, Oxford, London-Middlesex, Perth, Huron and Grey-Bruce, the “Guidelines for Developing Elder Abuse Protocols – a South West Ontario Approach†are dedicated to vulnerable seniors in our society.
Southwest LHIN CEO Michael Barrett commented: “The South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is appreciative of the work of the South West Regional Elder Abuse Network in developing this important guide to assist all agencies and health professionals. The protocols in these guidelines will help this vulnerable population by ensuring that elder abuse and neglect are more readily identified and appropriately addressed.â€
OPP Western Regional Chief Superintendant John Cain comments: The hard work and sacrifices made by our Canadian seniors helped create one of the safest and most comfortable countries in the world. Now that it’s our turn to contribute