World Elder Abuse Awareness Day- Keeping the Momentum Going
by Family Councils Ontario
This past Monday, June 15th, was Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, June 15th has been recognized "as an official United Nations International Day acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue" (source: Elder Abuse Ontario). Every year governments, organizations and individuals mark WEAAD to raise the visibility of elder abuse.
Elder abuse is an issue in Long-Term Care. The Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident Care and Safety was launched in November 2011 in response to media reports of incidents of abuse and neglect in Ontario Long-Term Care Homes. As a member of the Task Force, Family Councils Ontario has listed and created resources for Family Councils to take action on this important issue. You can find the list of resources and useful organizations here: http://www.familycouncilmembers.net/resources/resident-care-safety
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is one day out of the year, but Family Councils work all year round to support safe, caring LTC Homes. If your Council is looking for a new education topic- or if it's been a while since you've discussed the issue- or if you're thinking of a topic to work on during the summer, consider taking a look at the information and resources available for Family Councils to keep the WEAAD momemtum going throughout the summer and into the fall. Your Council could:
- have a guest speaker come in to talk about recognizing and preventing elder abuse
- review and discuss our 'Abuse Decision Trees: Licensee Reporting of Abuse and Neglect' videos
Family Councils have an important role to play in creating and sustaining safe, caring LTC Homes in Ontario. Please let us know of other useful resources you find and what actions you are taking to raise awareness of and prevent elder abuse!
- Samantha, Director of Communications & Education