November 28, 2009
Government of Canada and National Seniors Council Listen to Seniors in Ottawa (CANADA)
At a national round table on seniors' issues today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors), and members of the National Seniors Council (NSC) met with a number of national organizations, including seniors' groups, to examine the NSC's two current priorities: volunteering among seniors, and positive and active aging.
"Seniors' contributions are wide-ranging and significant. They are volunteers, mentors, leaders, and skilled and experienced workers," said Minister Finley. "The resilience and sustainability of our society depend on their continued participation."
The first two priorities of the Council, as identified by Minister LeBreton, involved (1) exploring ways to raise awareness and combat elder abuse, and (2) helping the Government find ways to support low-income seniors, particularly unattached women.
1. Elder abuse
In the fall of 2007, the National Seniors Council held five meetings with stakeholder groups in regions across the country to discuss elder abuse. The purpose of these meetings was for the Council to gain a solid appreciation of experts' and stakeholders' experiences in addressing elder abuse matters, in particular by identifying circumstances that provoke and lead to abuse of seniors. These meetings were held to enrich the pool of ideas on good practices for raising awareness as a means of prevention.
The National Seniors Council subsequently submitted a report on the issue to the federal government in November 2007.
The Government of Canada is helping combat all forms of elder abuse-physical, financial, psychological and sexual-as well as neglect, by taking action on a number of fronts:
- In Budget 2008, the federal government furthered its commitment to combatting elder abuse by announcing funding of $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to develop tools for front-line workers who have regular contact with seniors, alerting them to signs of abuse and helping them provide support.
- In 2009, the federal government launched an elder abuse awareness campaign. Since the start of the campaign, thousands of Canadians have contacted the Government of Canada to get more information.
- The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through social participation and active living. The program was expanded by $10 million per year, with a portion of the new funding to be used for elder abuse awareness.
- A one-time call for proposals for the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative through the New Horizons for Seniors Program was also launched on June 15, 2009. This call for proposals will fund up to 10 projects in total. The maximum funding is $200,000 per project over 24 months. National and Quebec professional associations are invited to visit www.seniors.gc.ca for further information.
- The Government of Canada has introduced new legislation to help protect all Canadians, including seniors, against identity theft.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Family Wars
Author and lawyer Jordan Atin speaks about some of the Family reasons that cause estate conflict and eventual contests over family entitlements in their parents wills. This is a trilogy video Part 1 that sets the stage for this kind of family feud. Listen carefully and you will see why elder abuse usually follows money issues. I beleive there is a direct correlation between elder abuse and demands on money. Those that need it will stop at notihng including physical and emotional abuse. There is a better way to protect yourself from abusive children. Talk to our legal team for some advice. http://www.algvip.com/ or email me bbalcom@algvip.com Also know the signs see our website http://www.estateprotectors.ca/ Enjoy this short Part 1 video.
Monday, November 23, 2009
We are not Alone: Japan has major problem with Elder Abuse
We think elder abuse is just here in Canada but I found this article I beleive reflects an international epidemic not being treated as a such both here and beyond. Until we get enough people talking about Elder Abuse we cannot solve the problem. Please read the following article which states Elder Abuse is up 12% in Japan. This is serious stuff that needs our attention.
Authorities confirmed 14,889 cases of abuse committed by relatives against people aged 65 or older in fiscal 2008, up 12.2 percent from a year before, a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry survey showed Friday.
The number of victims totaled 15,293, of which 6,897 were suffering from dementia requiring nursing care. Some 78 percent of victims were women, the ministry said.
According to the survey, 40.2 percent of the abusers were the victims' sons, followed by their husbands at 17.3 percent, daughters at 15.1 percent and daughters-in-law at 8.5 percent.
"Hey, Great Grandma" by Sachiko Masushima. Grand Prize Winner of Respect for the Aged Photography Contest, September 2009.
Illustrative photo by courtesy of Nippon Foundation.
As for types of abuse, 63.6 percent of cases involved physical abuse, followed by psychological abuse including verbal attacks at 38.0 percent, negligence at 27.0 percent and financial abuse, such as taking the victims' money, at 25.7 percent.
A ministry official assumed that the number of cases has increased partly due to "raised awareness" about reporting elderly abuse cases to local governments.
The survey, started in fiscal 2006, was taken on 1,800 municipalities and all 47 prefectures based on a law aiming at preventing elderly abuse.
It also revealed that the number of cases in which victims were abused by employees of nursing-care facilities also grew to 70 in fiscal 2008, up 12.9 percent from the previous year.
The number of victims who died after being abused by family members was down to 24, three less than the figure reported in fiscal 2007.
Of the 24 who died, 10 were murdered, five died from neglect, two were killed in murder-suicides, another two died from abuse and five died from other causes.
Meanwhile, the total number of reports of abuse received by local authorities or calls seeking consultations on elderly abuse by relatives increased to 21,692 in fiscal 2008, up 8.6 percent from the previous year. [rc]
Kyodo News
(C) The Japan Times Ltd
Authorities confirmed 14,889 cases of abuse committed by relatives against people aged 65 or older in fiscal 2008, up 12.2 percent from a year before, a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry survey showed Friday.
The number of victims totaled 15,293, of which 6,897 were suffering from dementia requiring nursing care. Some 78 percent of victims were women, the ministry said.
According to the survey, 40.2 percent of the abusers were the victims' sons, followed by their husbands at 17.3 percent, daughters at 15.1 percent and daughters-in-law at 8.5 percent.
"Hey, Great Grandma" by Sachiko Masushima. Grand Prize Winner of Respect for the Aged Photography Contest, September 2009.
Illustrative photo by courtesy of Nippon Foundation.
As for types of abuse, 63.6 percent of cases involved physical abuse, followed by psychological abuse including verbal attacks at 38.0 percent, negligence at 27.0 percent and financial abuse, such as taking the victims' money, at 25.7 percent.
A ministry official assumed that the number of cases has increased partly due to "raised awareness" about reporting elderly abuse cases to local governments.
The survey, started in fiscal 2006, was taken on 1,800 municipalities and all 47 prefectures based on a law aiming at preventing elderly abuse.
It also revealed that the number of cases in which victims were abused by employees of nursing-care facilities also grew to 70 in fiscal 2008, up 12.9 percent from the previous year.
The number of victims who died after being abused by family members was down to 24, three less than the figure reported in fiscal 2007.
Of the 24 who died, 10 were murdered, five died from neglect, two were killed in murder-suicides, another two died from abuse and five died from other causes.
Meanwhile, the total number of reports of abuse received by local authorities or calls seeking consultations on elderly abuse by relatives increased to 21,692 in fiscal 2008, up 8.6 percent from the previous year. [rc]
Kyodo News
(C) The Japan Times Ltd
New Zealand Leader against Elder Abuse
I read with alot of interest recently an article from New Zealand about elder abuse. It is worth reading and repeating herein.
Communities need to stand up to elder neglect and abuse, Minister for Senior Citizens John Carter told the Breaking the Silence Hui today.
"We need to be told clearly and strongly when behaviour is Not OK," he told the northern Hawke's Bay meeting, hosted by Age Concern Wairoa.
"And that's what a big part of my role as Minister is - helping to protect the rights and interests of older people by raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect."
National MP John Carter says communities need to stand up to elder neglect and abuse.
There may be about 50,000 older New Zealanders suffering from abuse, most likely under the hands of a family member .
If the abuse happens to someone aged over 65, it's most likely a son or daughter; if it happens to someone under 65, it's most likely a husband, he said.
"Elder abuse and neglect can have devastating consequences for older people, and a huge amount of long-term effects on physical and mental health, finances, living arrangements and family relationships."
Mr Carter said signs of abuse may not always be physical, making it difficult to identify.
"It can be deceitful, manipulative, psychological, financial, emotional, verbal, difficult to pin down, and downright nasty," he said.
"Abuse is about taking advantage of someone who is vulnerable."
The Office for Senior Citizens, the district health boards and the minister have been working on a booklet, It's Not OK, which provides information about elderly abuse.
It will be sent to residential care providers, residents and their families, and people living in retirement villages. "It's really important people in professions such as social work are armed with this information, because we know older people are reluctant to speak about abuse or neglect, when it's happening."
Mr Carter said some abuse signs may include a failure to meet financial obligations, unusual banking activity on behalf of an elder, not being allowed to spend money without agreement of the caregiver, or missing personal belongings.
Physical abuse can be identified with bruises, cuts, fear and depression, while psychological abuse can cause sadness, anxiety, and withdrawal.
"We need to take the time to keep an eye on our elderly neighbours, to stop and share a few words when we meet on the street. We need to learn about the signs and symptoms of abuse," Mr Carter said. [rc]
Communities need to stand up to elder neglect and abuse, Minister for Senior Citizens John Carter told the Breaking the Silence Hui today.
"We need to be told clearly and strongly when behaviour is Not OK," he told the northern Hawke's Bay meeting, hosted by Age Concern Wairoa.
"And that's what a big part of my role as Minister is - helping to protect the rights and interests of older people by raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect."
National MP John Carter says communities need to stand up to elder neglect and abuse.
There may be about 50,000 older New Zealanders suffering from abuse, most likely under the hands of a family member .
If the abuse happens to someone aged over 65, it's most likely a son or daughter; if it happens to someone under 65, it's most likely a husband, he said.
"Elder abuse and neglect can have devastating consequences for older people, and a huge amount of long-term effects on physical and mental health, finances, living arrangements and family relationships."
Mr Carter said signs of abuse may not always be physical, making it difficult to identify.
"It can be deceitful, manipulative, psychological, financial, emotional, verbal, difficult to pin down, and downright nasty," he said.
"Abuse is about taking advantage of someone who is vulnerable."
The Office for Senior Citizens, the district health boards and the minister have been working on a booklet, It's Not OK, which provides information about elderly abuse.
It will be sent to residential care providers, residents and their families, and people living in retirement villages. "It's really important people in professions such as social work are armed with this information, because we know older people are reluctant to speak about abuse or neglect, when it's happening."
Mr Carter said some abuse signs may include a failure to meet financial obligations, unusual banking activity on behalf of an elder, not being allowed to spend money without agreement of the caregiver, or missing personal belongings.
Physical abuse can be identified with bruises, cuts, fear and depression, while psychological abuse can cause sadness, anxiety, and withdrawal.
"We need to take the time to keep an eye on our elderly neighbours, to stop and share a few words when we meet on the street. We need to learn about the signs and symptoms of abuse," Mr Carter said. [rc]
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Elder Abuse: A North American Problem?
Elders or seniors do not seem to get the same respect and appreciation in North America as we see in Europe, Asia or the Far East. Why is that?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Help us stop Elder Abuse
The problem is too many people simply turn their attention away from the warning signs. One of the things our law firm , Atlantica Law Group choose to do is examine all the various ways our Seniors are being abused and then setting out a plan to help prevent Elder Abuse in Canada. If we all accept responsibility in helping protect our seniors we can make a difference. Our parents should be loved and appreciated for all they have done to help us get to where we are today. Listen to Ed Asner, Actor, comments in this video found on youtube. Then check out our website www.estateprotectors.ca. We can help. Cheers Enjoy.
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