Overview
We all can help address and prevent elder abuse. Making a difference requires working together as individuals, groups or government, and the most effective actions happen at the community level.
Together, through a coordinated community response (CCR), community and government organizations deliver supports and services and increase ability to respond to elder abuse at the local level.
Community organizations may include:
- seniors centres
- police and victim services
- health service providers
- family and community support services
- housing providers
- Indigenous organizations
- LGBTQ2S+-serving organizations
- cultural and immigrant-serving organizations
- and more
Elder abuse is any intentional or reckless act or wilful and negligent disregard, occurring within a relationship of family, trust or dependency, directed at someone 65 years of age or older, that:
- causes physical harm
- causes emotional or psychological harm
- involves the misappropriation or misuse of money or other personal possessions or personal or real property
- subjects an individual to non-consensual sexual contact, activity or behaviour
- fails to provide the necessities of life
To learn more about the Alberta government’s response, read A Collective Approach: Alberta’s Strategy for preventing and addressing elder abuse, a 5-year strategy to prevent and address elder abuse.
What you can do
Connect with the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to see if there is a CCR in your community.
If not, follow the 5-step process to develop a community response to elder abuse in your community.
Step 1. Starting the process
Start by raising awareness about the issue of elder abuse and the benefits of starting a coordinated community response.
Primary actions
- begin the conversation
- acknowledge the issue of elder abuse
- engage and raise awareness with community partners
- acknowledge current and emerging issues impacting older adults
Step 2. Building the team
Engage individuals and organizations to become part of your coordinated community response.
Primary actions
- identify and gather key stakeholders
- compile a community services inventory
- establish a common vision/mission statement
- develop a set of guiding principles, for example, group norms
Step 3. Planning the CCR
Determine your community's strengths, gaps and priorities before developing the formal structure for your coordinated community response.
Primary actions
- identify strengths and gaps
- determine priorities
- establish a formal structure
- understand roles and responsibilities
Step 4. Implementing the CCR
Decide how you will introduce the coordinated community response plan to your community.
Primary actions
- implement the plan
- encourage strong team communication
- motivate your team
- focus on collaboration
- continue team building
Step 5. Evaluating the Process
Develop an evaluation process to help you understand how well the coordinated community response is achieving its goals and realizing its vision.
Primary actions
- build an evaluation framework
- maintain the momentum
- re-evaluate and enhance
Get the toolkit
The toolkit for developing a CCR is available: Addressing Elder Abuse: A Toolkit for Developing a Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse
The toolkit provides details on the 5-stage process along with definitions, templates worksheets and handouts.
Coordinated community response grant
- The Alberta government is providing more than $3 million over the next 3 years for community prevention and support through local coordinated community response models across Alberta.
- This includes support and guidance to seniors and their families who are at risk of or are experiencing abuse, as well as connecting them to community resources.
- The Alberta government will work with the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to distribute funding to local coordinated community responses.
News
- Strengthening support for seniors at risk – April 18, 2023
Contact
Connect with Seniors Strategies and Program Support:
Email: [email protected]