Red Deer, Alberta, June 15, 2012—The Government of Canada continues to combat elder abuse by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). Mr. Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament for Red Deer, highlighted funding today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors).
“Protecting seniors from elder abuse is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Mr. Dreeshen. “Supporting projects that increase elder abuse awareness among seniors, their families and service providers will help us combat this serious issue.”
Family Services of Central Alberta in Red Deer will receive $245,000 to educate professionals, caregivers and communities on elder abuse prevention and to match college students with seniors in Home Share placements to reduce social isolation of seniors and the risk of elder abuse, including financial abuse.
This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totalling $14.6 million, announced today by Minister of State Wong on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The NHSP helps ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living.
The NHSP continues to support seniors through a new call for proposals for community-based projects, some of which also address elder abuse. The call launched May 8 and will close June 29, 2012 (September 15, 2012, for Quebec). For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
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The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since its beginning, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada to address elder abuse. This funding can enable community members to better recognize elder abuse in all its forms and to improve the quality of life, safety and security of seniors. Eligible pan-Canadian grant or contribution projects must have a broad reach and impact. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.
A call for proposals for pan-Canadian projects was launched on October 17, 2011, and closed on November 25, 2011. A total of 33 elder abuse awareness and prevention projects were approved and will receive over $14.6 million in funding.
Other actions taken by the Government of Canada to combat elder abuse
In 2008, the Government launched the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI), a multi-departmental, three-year initiative to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on available supports. This initiative successfully concluded on March 31, 2011.
Building on the momentum created by the FEAI, the Government continues to address elder abuse through awareness campaigns that aim to help Canadians recognize the signs of elder abuse and give them information on available resources and supports. For more information, please visit seniors.gc.ca.
In addition, the Government is addressing elder abuse through recently introduced legislation that would help ensure consistently tough penalties for offences involving the abuse of elderly persons.
