Funding will supportthose who have experienced, are experiencing, or are at-risk of experiencing violence.
Sherbrooke – Elder abuse can have serious health and psychosocial consequences, including premature mortality, poor physical and mental health, diminished quality of life, and increased rates of emergency services use, hospitalization, and nursing home placement. These issues touch families in all parts of Canada, and include many forms of physical, financial and emotional abuse, as well as neglect.
Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced nearly $735,000in funding for the Université de Sherbrookefor a project delivering online educational programs for senior caregivers, community organization workers, and volunteers.
The project will help to improve the identification and reporting of elder abuse, as well as enhance the supports available to caregivers to ensure their overall well-being and the one of those they are taking care of. It will include a tool for community workers and volunteers to manage suspected cases of elder abuse. The Government of Canada will continue to take action to prevent elder abuse, support survivors, and break the cycle of violence in families and communities from coast to coast to coast.
“Elder abuse can have devastating, long-lasting impacts on older adults, including mental health consequences like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. By empowering caregivers with specialized bilingual training, support programs, and facilitating access to mental health services, we can address and prevent future abuse, and create a safer environment for older people to better protect themselves.” – Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health