Grants help communities take action against elder abuse

Jun 14, 2015

Nineteen seniors groups, community organizations, and municipalities across the province will receive support to help address and prevent elder abuse.

The three-year $3-million Elder Abuse Co-ordinated Community Response grant program will allocate about $1 million per year.

“Elder abuse affects our families, our neighbours and our friends. We all have a role to play, which is why the government is marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with Alberta’s first community response grants aimed at supporting local action against elder abuse.”
Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Seniors

This year’s recipients work in many ways to address elder abuse, including increasing the co-ordination of social workers, medical professionals, seniors groups and local police for a more community- based response, and incorporating cultural sensitivities into community response.

“We are looking forward to putting together a community response that will support the seniors of Central Alberta who are experiencing elder abuse. We need a good working system that will support our seniors in their time of crisis. We need to keep them safe.”
Monica Morrison, Executive Director, Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre

“Living in rural areas can pose challenges when dealing with elder abuse. Lack of transportation, geographic isolation, stigma and other factors can create barriers to supports for people who may be dealing with abuse. It is important that seniors in rural areas know there is somewhere to turn to for help in a difficult time.”
Kelly Lynn Spafford, Program Coordinator, Community Action for Healthy Relationships Network, Athabasca, Barrhead and Westlock

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized internationally each year on June 15.
Related information

Media inquiries
Jessica Lucenko
780-719-8097
Communications, Seniors

Tim Wilson
587-983-7127
Press Secretary, Seniors

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