Government recognizes first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day  

Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne together with the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Joan Burke, today reaffirmed government�s commitment to seniors by recognizing June 15, 2006 as the first ever World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  

Introduced by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day supports the United Nations International Plan of Action on Aging, which recognizes the importance of addressing and preventing abuse and neglect of older adults.  

�Elder abuse, in any form, is a serious concern for our government,� said Minister Osborne. �Through government initiatives such as the Violence Prevention Initiative and the Healthy Aging Framework, we are increasing awareness of seniors issues and enhancing policy and legislation aimed at preventing the abuse of older persons in our province.�  

Government has recently committed a total of $7.5 million for the implementation of the Violence Prevention Initiative�s six-year plan of action: Taking Action Against Violence. Seniors are one of several targeted populations addressed in the action plan.  

Elder abuse may involve physical, emotional, sexual or spiritual abuse as well as financial abuse and neglect.  Research estimates that between four and 10 per cent of older adults experience one or more forms of abuse or neglect at some point in their later years, often from someone they know or trust.  An estimated 80 per cent of elder abuse or neglect goes unreported.  

�Abuse at any age is a crime,� said Minister Burke.  �Too often abuse against seniors goes unreported and those who should be respected and protected are taken advantage of and victimized.  It is the responsibility of all of us to send a clear message that abuse against seniors, and any form of abuse, is unacceptable in our communities.�  

The Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) is a cross-departmental, community-government initiative.  As part of this initiative government will focus on raising awareness of the abuse of seniors and work with community groups to ensure that seniors in our communities are supported and cared for in an environment free from all forms of violence.  

In addition to the Violence Prevention Initiative and in response to the province's rapidly aging population, government is focused on preparing for the needs of current and future generations of seniors.  The Department of Health and Community Services recently concluded province-wide, public consultations on the development of a healthy aging framework.  Over 1,000 individuals participated in the process, which included a provincial stakeholder forum.  Through the creation of framework, government is identifying issues of concern and outlining direction for policy and program changes to better respond to the needs of our seniors population.  

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741
Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624  

2006 06 15                                                        2:20 p.m.