MH Family Services among grant recipients for elder abuse funding
By LAUREN THOMSON Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on June 17, 2021.
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon announced new initiatives on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On June 15, the government announced it would be providing $750,000 to the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to help support elder abuse prevention and intervention initiatives. Medicine Hat Family Services will receive $36,000 of that total. “Approximately $650,000 of this funding will help coordinated community responses (CCRs) increase supports for seniors subjected to abuse,” stated the alberta.ca announcement. “CCRs are multidisciplinary partnerships that can include a range of partners, such as local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, health service providers and police services. The council will use the remaining funding to provide ongoing support for grant recipients, explore best practices for data collection and provide enhanced elder abuse awareness training for service providers and responders.” “Elder abuse is a complex issue that requires a co-ordinated, collaborative response,” said Shantel Ottenbreit, chair of the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council, in the announcement. “Through case management funding, we can support the great work already going on in communities and ensure response services are available for seniors experiencing elder abuse.” The government of Alberta will also be updating elder abuse responses “through better understanding, recognition and prevention at the community level,”stated the alberta.ca announcement. They will be revising the definition of elder abuse. “Seniors built this province and are the strength of Alberta,” said Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing, in the announcement. “Unfortunately, they are not always treated with the respect they deserve. Elder abuse is not acceptable, for anyone, and in any form. These new initiatives will unite Alberta’s government with community organizations across the province to take stronger action against elder abuse.” 8-7
