Working together to prevent elder abuse

The government is providing $750,000 to the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to support elder abuse prevention and intervention initiatives. Approximately $650,000 of this funding will help coordinated community responses (CCRs) increase supports for seniors subjected to abuse. CCRs are multidisciplinary partnerships that can include a range of partners, such as local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, health service providers and police services. The council will use the remaining funding to provide ongoing support for grant recipients, explore best practices for data collection and provide enhanced elder abuse awareness training for service providers and responders.

“Seniors built this province and are the strength of Alberta. Unfortunately, they are not always treated with the respect they deserve. Elder abuse is not acceptable, for anyone, and in any form. These new initiatives will unite Alberta’s government with community organizations across the province to take stronger action against elder abuse.”

“Elder abuse is a complex issue that requires a coordinated, collaborative response. Through case management funding, we can support the great work already going on in communities and ensure response services are available for seniors experiencing elder abuse.”

In addition, Alberta’s government is undertaking an engagement with stakeholders and Albertans on elder abuse. This dialogue is intended to update elder abuse responses through better understanding, recognition and prevention at the community level. The first step will be to seek input on a revised provincial definition of elder abuse. Stakeholder engagements will take place over the next few weeks and a public engagement will launch later this year.

Grant recipients

• Healthy Families Healthy Futures Society: Athabasca, Westlock, Barrhead – $50,000
• Family Violence Action Society: Camrose and District – $50,000
• Calgary Rural Primary Care Network: Claresholm region – $50,000
• Vulcan Regional Response to Elder Abuse Council: Foothills and Nanton CCRs – $37,000
• Hinton Family and Community Support Services – $21,678
• Kerby Centre: Calgary Elder Abuse Response – $49,907
• Lamont County Region Family and Community Support Services – $50,000
• Lloydminster Interval Home Society – $45,000
• Medicine Hat Family Services – $36,000
• Edmonton Seniors Protection Partnership – $35,000
• Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF, St. Albert) – $20,000
• St. Aidan’s Housing Society (Fort McMurray) – $39,256
• Siksika Health Services – $46,000
• Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services – $50,000
• Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society (Sundre and region) – $15,950
• Enoch Cree Nation – $50,000

Other supports

Alberta’s government has produced several resources to support individuals and organizations as they work to prevent and address elder abuse:

• Collaborative Online Resources and Education (CORE) Alberta is an online platform that helps seniors’ organizations improve service delivery by sharing resources and coordinating services. Currently, 28 organizations are using the platform to collaborate on elder abuse prevention.
• Addressing Elder Abuse: A Toolkit for Developing a Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse is an extensive resource designed to help communities increase their capacity to address elder abuse.
• The Social Isolation resource kit provides tools to help service providers raise awareness about the relationship between social isolation and elder abuse.

Quick facts

• Elder abuse is currently defined as any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well-being of an older adult.
• Prior to 2020, it was estimated nearly one in 10 Alberta seniors may be abused in some way.
• Rates of family violence, including elder abuse, tend to increase during and following natural disasters, public health crises and economic downturns.
• It is important to know where to turn if you or someone you know is experiencing family violence.
  • Call 911 if you, or someone you know, is being abused and is in immediate danger.
  • The police can apply for an Emergency Protection Order to provide you with immediate protection if you are in imminent danger.
  • A 24-hour Family Violence Info Line is available at 310-1818 to receive anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
  • There are three elder abuse shelters in Alberta:
    • Kerby Rotary Shelter in Calgary – 403-705-3250
    • Sage Seniors Safe House in Edmonton – 780-702-1520
    • Elder Abuse Shelter in Red Deer – 403-343-6074