In advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday, June 15 the Ministry of Health has contributed $1.4 million to support elder abuse awareness and prevention.
The funding includes $1.1 million to the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN), and $300,000 to Seniors First BC.
“We all play a part in making sure our communities are safe places where seniors can live life to the fullest,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in a news release. “Supporting the BC Association of Community Response Networks and Seniors First BC helps protect the people who once protected us by raising awareness of the signs of elder abuse and neglect, and where people can to turn to for help.”
BC CRN is the co-ordinating body for Community Response Networks (CRN), which are networks of individuals, groups and agencies that work together to promote a co-ordinated community response to elder abuse and neglect. CRNs identify common themes, barriers and issues related to elder abuse that require work at the regional, provincial and national levels.
Funding provided by the province will support the BC CRN to strengthen existing networks and workshops, like It’s Not Right! and Gatekeeper. These are educational programs that teach people how to recognize signs of abuse and neglect and how they can help. It’s Not Right! is aimed at community members. Gatekeeper is geared toward people who have regular contact with seniors or vulnerable adults.
Seniors First BC works to prevent elder abuse and provide assistance and support to seniors who are being abused, or at risk of being abused. Seniors First BC provides direct assistance to seniors, and also assists agencies, health professionals, first responders, neighbours, landlords, businesses and the general public with information about how to prevent elder abuse.
Funding by the Province will support Seniors First BC’s toll-free Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL), for seniors and their loved ones to talk to someone about elder abuse and receive referrals on where to get help.
Since 2009, tens of thousands of seniors and the people who care about them have reached out to SAIL.
“Recognizing elder abuse, and knowing who to report it to, is key,” said Isobel Mackenzie, British Columbia's seniors advocate. “These grants to two vital agencies will help to achieve this.”
