Outreach for Aging With Dignity

Name: Doug MaddenTitle:Company Name

Aging is Universal• Some activities becomes more difficult• We become more susceptible to colds,

viruses and infections• Some of us lose some or all of our mental

and physical faculties • Our bodies can become more frail and easily

broken

An Unfortunate Truth• In addition to these signs of aging many

seniors live in fearFear of being sent to a homeFear of mental, emotional and financial abuseFear of physical violenceFear of someone finding out what they are so fearful of Fear of reprisal if they report what is making them afraid

Do we really understand what at risk is?•What constitutes an at risk situation?•Is there really a clear definition?•Who is the victim?•How significant is our at risk population?•How would you react to someone at risk?•How do we ensure the safety anf dignity of at risk persons?

Current Support Programmes

Initiatives in place today are good but have limitations

• Senior Police Abuse Squads• Help lines• Drop in programmes• Legal and Psychological Counselling• A few short term stay options

What happens when someone is at risk?

Police or another agency may be calledA report is filedIn severe incidents the at risk person is placed in a temporary shelter or similar environment, hospital bed or motel room – very limitedAll to frequently the person is returned to the same environment they may have been rescued from

The reality is that the police, social agencies, community groups and organizations have few options

What really happens• Police officers must return at risk clients to their at

risk situation.• A call for help is rescinded when the police arrive

out of fear or a false sense of love and caring.• A distress center intervention is dropped when the

at risk person is caught making the call . • Shelter personnel have to turn everyone out at a

specific hour. There is no favoritism• Social and health care workers have limited access

to safe temporary housing.• Churches, social circles, doctors and other

personnel. Who do they turn to?

Real Situations

•Financial:• Family member always needing money makes

parent feel guilty or threatens them (grandkids, no transportations).• No intention to repay.

• Parent moves in with kids to help them out. Losing life savings in the process.• Parent had supposedly “Knowledgeable Senior

Legal Advice”

Personal Stories

•Mental/Emotional:• Family isolates at risk individual • Unfriendly even hostile to senior’s visitors.

• Primary caregiver fails to communicate with at risk individual with faculty limitations such as blindness, limited mobility or dementia.• Isolation, loneliness and fears grow.

Personal Stories•Physical:• Pushing, hitting and bullying.• Results are isolation and fear of injury or reprisal.

•Verbal:• Name calling, slanderous comments,

browbeating, threats of physical and mental deprivation.• Lowers self esteem, plays on vulnerability,

threatens personal security.

Did you Know…

• There is nowhere in Halton for abused men• There is only one women’s facility for aging victims• At risk persons are often housed in grungy motels• Few free housing facilities• Limited number of for fee facilities –costly option • Very little intervention and mediation • Follow up is sporadic at best• Education limited by available limited resources –

much of this is volunteer driven

The Good News…

• Halton has some structures in place and is trying to move towards effective solutions to Aging with Dignity.

• 25 years ago they formulated ESAC to consider the future needs of an aging population.

• Peel on the other hand in many ways is just beginning

The Value of Intervention…• Aging adults are not all victims or at risk• That cantankerous, cane swinging lady down the

hall may be at risk or may even be the abuser • Lose of sight, hearing impairment, limited mobility

and dementia are frustrating ailments for both the person afflicted and their caregivers

• Abuse is not always directed and intentional, it can be lack of knowledge, fear or even misguide love

• Sometimes all it takes is having someone to talk to; a release of tension; understanding that they are not alone; also realizing they are not at fault or responsible; the disorder is not of their doing.

Breaking The Cycle

We need a new approach, Something aging adults can feel comfortable withMore than just reports and rhetoricModerate at risk situations must be achieved in safety, comfort and dignity.Meaningful mediation and intervention can result in long term resolution.

What do we accomplish?

Provide time out – coping with growing families, personal financial demands, and the added responsibility of providing support for aging individuals can be onerous

What type of locations?

Provide short term placement in a home A safe, happy, family environment is crucial to recovery, pre-approval and age friendly a necessity, a caring fostering social enironment of growth

Mediation and support

Provide support and advise Expert, professional and properly accredited counselling, advise, support and follow-up; assistance to identify and make lasting, long term decisions and commitments that work

How you can help usFill out the survey we have provided, tell a friend about our objectiveIf you know anyone who may be willing to provide temporary accommodations to at risk individuals have them contact ourselves or TomLet us know what you think of our conceptIn the early 80s our children were told about acceptable behaviour towards them

They learnt quickly and this same approach can work to provide our aging adults a safer space

Dignity is Your Right

Through all these changes you have a right to your dignity

• Expect to be treated with dignity and respect• Do not accept intolerance• Do not tolerate injustice• Ask questions and demand answers• Stand up for your rights

Long Term Goal

Instill a reverence and respect in our society for the knowledge, value and contributions that our older generations have made for us through their sacrifice, hard work and determination.