A View from Manitoba: Direct Client Services

Presented By:

Amanda Macrae, Chief Executive Officer,

Age & Opportunity Inc.

&

Stacey Miller, Manager of Community Services,

Age & Opportunity Inc.

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MissionMission

Age & Opportunity Inc. is a not-for-profit social service agency that offers life-enhancing programs and services to older adults 55+ living in the province of Manitoba. Age & Opportunity’s programs and services support and enhance the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual lives of older persons and actively promote participation in all aspects of community life.

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Age & Opportunity strives to be a recognized community partner in the development and delivery of innovative services that empower older adults to lead healthy, vibrant lives. 

VisionVision

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The AgencyThe Agency

A not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services to older adults 55+

Established in 1957 in response to the need from older adults and their caregivers

Governed by a Board of Directors

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HistoryHistory Age & Opportunity established on May 8, 1957

1957 – 1966 – Opened the first Winnipeg Senior Citizen’s Day Centre (October 1960)1961 – Touring Program was launched

1967 – Centres expanded and the first Friendly Visiting Coordinator was hired

Age & Opportunity was responsible for the development of Creative Retirement Manitoba, founded in 1973

1977 – Age & Opportunity participated in a Seniors Organizational Study, leading to the formation of the Manitoba Society for Seniors (MSOS) in 1979

The Senior Citizens’ Job Bureau was established in 1978; the Job Bureau started out under the Age & Opportunity umbrella

1978 – First Volunteer Coordinator hired

1982 – Established Age & Opportunity Enterprises Ltd. as a travel service agency

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History ContinuedHistory Continued 1982 – The agency celebrated its 30th Anniversary and received the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award

1990 – The Elder Abuse Resource Centre was established

1997 – English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program established

1998 – EAL Program grew to serve over 300 newcomer older adults

2000 Onward:Increased community outreachEstablished new communication toolsre-named websitelaunched the newsletterdeveloped Focal Point newsletterestablished the CJOB Seniors Radio Show

2007 – Celebrated the Agency’s 50th Anniversary

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4-10% of older adults (50+) experience one or more forms of abuse or neglect at some point in their later years

6,000-16,000 Older Manitobans

Only one in five cases comes to the attention of those who can help

How many are affected by How many are affected by elder abuse in Manitoba?elder abuse in Manitoba?

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Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse Services2008- 09 Statistics2008- 09 Statistics

784 Total Clients (individual, group counselling)

We receive additional Elder Abuse cases through Older Victim Services (referrals from the Winnipeg Police)

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Types of abuse reported:Financial: 118

Emotional: 127

Physical: 45

Neglect: 28

Sexual: 1

Direct & Indirect client service hours: 1537

Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse Services2008-09 Statistics2008-09 Statistics

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Reporting Elder Abuse Reporting Elder Abuse in Manitobain Manitoba

In institutional settings-Protection for Persons in Care Act

In community settings in Manitoba-no specific elder abuse legislation

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Offering elder abuse services for over 20 years

Referrals through Intake Line

Office, home, hospital, off-site visits

Short and long-term counselling

Advocacy

Information on Elder Abuse and applicable legislation (Protection for Persons In Care Act, Vulnerable Persons Act)

Legal info (Power of Attorney, wills, A&O legal clinics, court orders)

Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse ServicesIndividual CounsellingIndividual Counselling

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Elder Abuse Services Elder Abuse Services Individual Counselling (cont.)Individual Counselling (cont.)

Assistance accessing resources to reduce dependency on abuser:

Financial (EIA, pensions, credit splitting)

Housing

safe, affordable housing

A&O housing consultations

crisis shelters, Safe Suite

Home care

Meals

Transportation

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Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse ServicesGroup CounsellingGroup Counselling

‘You and Your Adult Child or Grandchild’

Support/Educational Group

Open to men, women, couples

55+

8-10 week group

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If charges are laid in an Elder Abuse case, Social Workers assist with: Court updates Victim Impact Statements Compensation for Victims of Crime Program Arranging court tours Arranging translation services Arranging transportation (no cost for victims) Court accompaniment

Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse ServicesCourt AssistanceCourt Assistance

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Older Victim ServicesOlder Victim Services

Social workers provide counselling and practical assistance for individuals 60+ that have been victims of crime in WinnipegDirect referrals from the Winnipeg Police Service as well as community-based referralsProvide court update, assistance navigating the legal systemAssist with Victim Impact Statements, Compensation for Victims of Crime Program Court Assistance (arrange tours, transportation, translation, accompaniment)Assist ~1000 clients/year

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Elder Abuse ServicesElder Abuse ServicesProtection OrdersProtection Orders

Age & Opportunity has four Protection Order Designates (POD)Protection order has specific conditions that can be used to protect one person from anotherPOD can assist in person at the law courts, or through teleconference assistance.Protection Order Designates are available in most rural areas of Manitoba.

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Age & Opportunity’sAge & Opportunity’sSafe Suite ProgramSafe Suite Program

First Safe Suite opened October 2006

Second Safe Suite opened in July 2007

Twelve occupants to date

Social Workers provide intense counselling services and safety planning

Furnished accommodations for up to 60 days at no cost (longer stays = lower recidivism rates)

Practical assistance with arranging finances, housing, legal and support services

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Funding SourcesFunding Sources

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Manitoba Seniors & Healthy Aging Secretariat

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OtherOther ProgramsPrograms

SafetyAid – crime and falls preventionThis Full House – program to assist older adults that hoardFriendly VisitingCounselling servicesEnglish as an additional languageHousing ConsulationsHousing ExpoLegal services Centres for older adults

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Access to ProgramsAccess to Programs

Most often, social workers link clients between programs within Age & Opportunity

For example: client living with abusive partner, living in hoarding conditions. Fear of reporting either situation as she was told her partner would kill her if he lost his cats.

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Other elder abuse initiativesOther elder abuse initiatives

First ever 2008 Manitoba Elder Abuse Conference

Co-chair World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Events

Across the Generations – intergenerational program targeted at the prevention of elder abuse

Manitoba Network towards the Prevention of the abuse of Older Adults

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The DVD was developed by the Winnipeg Elder Abuse Strategy Working Group, co-chaired by Age & Opportunity to assist in increasing knowledge, awareness and the ability for individuals in the community to respond to situations of abuse towards older adults.

This DVD is designed to educate community gatekeepers and provide them with accessible information in order for them to be able to identify and provide information about support services and/or refer to community-based supports.

This DVD is also meant to increase the awareness and knowledge of resources available to older adults that may be experiencing abuse.

It’s Everybody’s Business DVDIt’s Everybody’s Business DVD

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It’s Everybody’s Business DVDIt’s Everybody’s Business DVD

This DVD will be available to individuals and professionals at no cost to them, and will be available in both English and French.

The DVD will be accompanied by a facilitator’s guide that will assist individual showing the DVD.

The guide will provide support to the DVD offering information, tools, and facts about elder abuse.

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No one ever No one ever deserves to deserves to

be abused or be abused or neglected.neglected.