Guest Column: Committed to preventing elder abuse and supporting victims

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on April 25, 2018.

Re: “Elder abuse funding axed,” April 12

I am happy to respond to a recent article published in the Medicine Hat News that raised concerns about funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and elder abuse.

As a daughter to aging parents, I know firsthand what it’s like to worry about your parents’ safety. As the minister of seniors and housing, it’s my job to ensure that the very people who built our province are receiving the care they need to have fulfilled, vibrant lives. Part of that responsibility means making sure elder abuse is being addressed and prevented in every community across Alberta.

To that end, the ministry of seniors and housing provided a one-time grant of $75,000 to the CMHA under the Coordinated Community Response program to support a community-based strategy to help prevent and bring awareness to elder abuse.

We look forward to seeing the finished strategy later in the year and discussing next steps. While the funding for this particular program is winding down, our government continues to support vital programs that specifically address elder abuse, including existing police-based programs under the Medicine Hat Police Service and the RCMP.

I want to be clear — victims of abuse will continue to be supported.

Minister Kathleen Ganley through Alberta Justice and Solicitor General also supports a number of organizations that help victims of elder abuse and service providers, including the Medicine Hat Victim Assistance Unit. It’s important to clarify that a criminal charge does not have to be laid for someone to receive assistance from such programs, only that a criminal incident occurred.

I know Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner is a strong advocate for seniors in his community — I recently visited his office and saw the hard work he does representing his constituents. We will continue working with him as he shares his constituents’ concerns and feedback.

I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to protecting public services Albertans count on, including accessible, affordable supports for seniors and victims of abuse.

I want to reiterate — if you or someone who know has been a victim of elder abuse, please contact the police immediately.

Lori Sigurdson is minister of seniors and housing for the Government of Alberta.