June 15, 2020 8:00 A.M. Ministry of Seniors Services and Accessibility
TORONTO - Today, Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors Services and Accessibility, released the following statement to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:
"As we take time out for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage you all to think about what we can do together to protect Ontario seniors from physical and emotional abuse. Our government places the utmost importance on the health, safety and well-being of Ontario's seniors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our seniors are very vulnerable to this deadly virus, and we are doing everything we can to protect them and ensure that they receive all the support they need during their self-isolation.
These measures include: an investment of $ 11 million for the implementation of the Ontario Community Support Program to finance the delivery of meals, drugs and other essentials to seniors and people with disabilities in need, a pandemic partnership with Elan Ontario to match volunteers with seniors in need in communities across the province, as well as supports and guidance on how to reduce isolation social and inquire about the well-being of seniors.
In order to eradicate elder abuse, seniors and their families will be reassured to know that our government is investing in prevention programs. We provide support by raising awareness among our young people and by providing training for front-line staff to help recognize and educate on the signs of prevalence of elder abuse.
The government is partnering with Prevention of Elder Abuse Ontario to provide distance and virtual training and community relations activities. It is up to each of us to support and protect older Ontarians so that they can enjoy good health and stay active in their communities.
We are also funding coordinated community resources to support seniors in need by investing in the Seniors' Assistance Line at the provincial level. This is a confidential, free resource, available at all times in over 200 languages, which provides safety planning and advice to older adults who are victims of or at risk of being abused, and which provides information seniors on the changes they can make to their proxy and on other legal and financial issues to reduce their risk of being victims of family or financial abuse.
Together, we can create a network of caring and connected communities that keep seniors safe throughout our great province. Together, we can ensure that older Ontarians receive the respect and support they deserve. "