Searching for Elder Abuse

Phone line that anyone in the community can call to help connect at-risk older adults with programs and services. The Niagara Gatekeeper program works in collaboration with local partner agencies.

Referrals are made to the most appropriate partner agency. Upon consent from the older adult, the partner agency will provide education around local programs and assist in the coordination of referrals to a range of services and supports.

Services are intended to help individuals remain safe and independent at home for as long as possible. The referral line is confidential and callers may remain anonymous..

A senior showing the following signs may need assistance:

• difficulty communicating, including confusion, memory loss, becoming withdrawn, hostile or angry
• changes to personal appearance, including poor hygiene, grooming, wearing dirty or inappropriate clothing
• deteriorating home conditions, including extreme neglect or disrepair, bad odoiurs, excessive clutter, neglected pets, lack of food
• deteriorating health such as difficulty seeing, speaking or hearing, poor mobility or balance, recent falls, significant weigh loss, injuries or untreated wounds
• decreased ability to handle money or pay bills
• unusual transactions
• inability to cope with the recent loss of a spouse or family member, friend or pet

A program that supports adults with a developmental disability to make informed decisions about their lives through assessment, referrals, goal setting, advocacy, case coordination, problem solving, life skills development, and counselling.

• Provides information about resources/services appropriate to needs
• Facilitate in exploring options and consequences pertaining to decision
• Helps identify strengths to learn ways of coping with, and adapting, to, life in the community
• Develops and maintains partnerships with community agencies to improve the economic and social conditions for adults with developmental disabilities
• Provides systemic and individual advocacy

Provide services for clients who require support from stroke, dementia or other cognitive and aging issues. Services include:

• Kinesiologist on staff to address slip and fall prevention, mobility assessments, assistive device recommendations and wellness promotion
• Community transportation and support with activities such as grocery shopping, banking, attending medical appointments
• Home care and support with activities of daily living, meal preparation and general household responsibilities
• Support through daily routines and socialization/isolation issues; cognitive and behavioural support including assistance with memory strategies, risk management and communication deficits
• Advocacy and elder abuse prevention
• Caregiver respite

A program run by volunteers and that is NOT a part of the police. Information supplied to police through this community involvement assists in both solving and preventing crime.

While the fastest and most effective way to report a crime is by calling police directly, Crime Stoppers offers a method of reporting that guarantees anonymity.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can neither be asked nor subpoenaed to appear in court when they supply information to Crime Stoppers.

Cash rewards of up to $2000 are offered to persons who call the program with information that leads to an arrest.

Information can be supplied to Crime Stoppers of Niagara through encrypted web tips or phone tips.

Elder Abuse Program: Providing education to the community and cross sector service industry regarding elder abuse, as well as frauds and scams. Providing a connection to community partners that assist with concerns of elder abuse.

Network made up of volunteers from many community groups that work toward the prevention of elder abuse

Emergency Response Team - committee meets within 24 hours of a potentially abusive situation being identified to create a strategy to address the abuse

Education and Awareness - trained presenters provide workshops to community groups

• sessions include identifying and defining abuse and neglect, prevention, intervention, and support for older adults who have been abused

Provides information and access to assistance for older adults with age related cognitive impairments and responsive behaviours that impact their daily functioning and/or the ability to maintain relationships.
Team members are trained to identify client needs and directly link them to the appropriate services.
Outreach offers services such as:

• Crisis Intervention
• Practical Support and Outreach
• Education
• Advocacy
• Coordination of Services

Address issues, concerns, and challenges affecting seniors and disabled adults with respect to the law. This position is a community-based and community-driven initiative.

Information and support is available to seniors, their families or service providers. Programs and presentations are researched, developed and presented on a variety of topics (such as quality of life issues, frauds and scams, personal/home safety, etc.). Reports of abuse (physical, financial, psychological, or neglect) are forwarded to the officers for assessment and further investigation if required. Cases identified as criminal offences are followed up. Major cases may be referred to the Crimes Against Seniors Unit for further investigation.

Provides a range of services that safeguard the legal, personal and financial interests of certain private individuals and estates.

A government agency that protects individuals with mental disabilities, protects the public's interest in charities, searches for heirs for estates which the OPGT administers, invests perpetual care funds, and deals with dissolved corporations.

The Salvation Army Crisis / Hope Line providing telephone and intervention to individuals experiencing crisis.

Working in partnership with community service agencies, the HRPS' Elder Services Unit responds and assists seniors and their families in a number of key areas, including:

• issues of neglect
• financial abuse
• physical and/or psychological mistreatment

To deter and prevent the perpetuation of crime against seniors living and working in the community, the Halton Regional Police Service Elder Services Unit offers a series of topical presentations to older adults, their families and service providers.

HRPS' Elder Services Unit consists of three Seniors Crime Investigators, an Elder Services Coordinator, District Community Response Officers and the Victim Services Unit.

Provides intensive case coordination with an in-depth personalized, flexible, and creative approach for seniors at risk and seniors with responsive behaviours relating to dementia.

Case Management for Seniors at Risk. Specializes in elder abuse, including physical, psychological/verbal, financial, neglect and/or self-neglect. Case coordinators offer home visits, where a comprehensive, holistic assessment of the client's situation is completed; then relevant, realistic, and attainable options are discussed.

Consultations are offered via telephone for families/caregivers who do not wish to receive a home visit.
This service aids not only the individual being referred, but the support system of this individual, as the case coordinator will collaborate with the family and other support systems to best assist the individual. The program is designed to connect individuals to community resources, prevent and decrease hospitalization, and advocate on behalf of the individuals who are referred.

One-on-one supports for coordinating services, including personal advocacy and filling out forms * interventions for people facing homelessness, critical life changes, abuse, or isolation * referrals to other community support services as necessary

Community navigator will meet with individuals and/or caregivers to provide:

• health care system navigation
• assistance in filling out required forms or providing information required to access most appropriate services such as housing, financial support, etc.
• dealing with elder abuse/hoarding issues
• referrals to mental health agencies
• linking to support and services

Project focusing on adults 55+ who are at risk or currently experiencing social isolation * partnership with organizations that support older adults in Halton Region in various capacities

Services include:

• Connection Specialist works one-on-one with older adults by offering information and making referrals to support a sense of belonging
• also supports community through awareness-raising and capacity-building education called LITE (Loneliness, Isolation to Empowerment) education

Signs that someone may be socially isolated include:

• physical health changes such as bruising, weight loss and weakness which can be a result of declining health or possibly a sign of elder abuse
• mental or emotional health changes such as fear or confusion
• general lack of interest and acting withdrawn
• changes in personal hygiene or appearance
• changes in eating and nutritional status
• behaviour or personality changes
• poor living conditions, disrepair, clutter and hoarding

Provides a range of programs and supports to individuals who have a developmental disability diagnosis and their families

Services include:

• Family Support Program
  
• Respite Support
  
• Transitional Aged Youth Planning Program
  
• Bramble Retreat - child and youth
  
• Bramble Retreat - adult
  
• Host Respite
  
• Adult Protective Services

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals

Emergency shelter, including meals, crisis counselling and support, child care, referrals, outreach and housing support

• capacity 50
• length of stay depends on need

24-hour telephone crisis and support line, includes emotional support, safety planning and information and referrals; live chat includes confidential and anonymous online counselling

Adult Day Services
Includes snacks, hot meals and assistance with personal care

• Alzheimer Day Program and Frail Elderly Program
• social and recreation activities
• daily fee

Client and Family Services
Intake, information and referral, case management, crisis intervention, social work, caregiver support, and individual and family counselling

• education, training and support for individuals caring for frail or disabled family members
• support groups
• information sessions
• advocacy
• assistance in locating health care services, financial benefits and other community resources

West Active Living and Learning Centre
Drop-in programs including fitness, recreation (sewing, woodworking, crafts),educational workshops and wellness seminars

• day trips
• activities in English, Portuguese, Vietnamese
• $15 annual membership

Health Action Theatre by Seniors (HATS)
Seniors create and perform short plays on elder abuse prevention and health promotion

Home Support Services
Meals on Wheels (Chinese, western, South Asian and frozen)

Home Help

• light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, Monday-Friday
• group shopping, transportation for medical appointments and wellness programs
• participates in Toronto Ride

Personal Support/Homemaking

• bathing, dental hygiene, light housekeeping, Monday-Sunday
• friendly visiting, security checks

Respite Care Program
Personal support and caregiver relief

Supportive Housing
On-site and on-call support services for residents of May Robinson Apartments and Springhurst Manor, with physical or chronic health problems that require consistent monitoring and supervision, includes personal support and emergency response available Monday-Sunday 24 hours

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care

• transportation for essential visits
• providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation
• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually -- telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program --in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services

• individual support and self help group
• public education, seminars, workshops
• information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas

• retirement groups
• seniors self help groups
• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment

• intensive case management, personalized care plan
• service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care

• care coordination
• scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home

• health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Supportive housing services -- for seniors requiring higher level of care, 24 hour on site services at Alexandra Park Apartments and Tam O'Shanter Towers, emergency response services

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older

• drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care, transportation for essential visits, providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation

• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack, personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops, information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support, information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups, seniors self help groups, community, wellness and health education

• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment, intensive case management, personalized care plan, service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care, care coordination, scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home, health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings

Manages financial and/or personal affairs of persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so

• makes medical treatment decisions for persons who are mentally incapable where no one else is able to do so
• investigates allegations of serious harm against vulnerable adults
• administers certain estates of persons who die without a will and without any family in Ontario
• deals forfeited personal property not located in, on or under forfeited land
• as the Accountant of the Superior Court of Justice retains all money, mortgages and securities paid into, or lodged with, the Court on behalf of minors and litigants
• protects the public interest in charitable property
• invests perpetual care funds of some cemeteries
• free power of attorney kits -- contact local office or visit website
• brochures available online

COVID19 In-person pre-booked appointments available, and some groups resumed, contact for information; masking mandatory, and proof of double vaccination required prior to first appointment

Virtual mental health support available for seniors experiencing elder abuse

Individual counselling, group programs, support groups and practical assistance to help older adults 60 years and older, and those with disabilities 50 years and older, to deal with abusive relationships, difficult medical conditions (such as Alzheimer Disease, stroke, depression), cope with change and loss, explore housing alternatives, access community support programs, or other issues

Caregiver Programs
Individual counselling, support groups, workshops and discussion groups on issues including dealing with stress, accessing community services, coping with change and loss; also Virtual Caregivers Support Groups

Pat's Place
Short term accommodation for one senior facing abuse, maximum stay 60 days; Elder Abuse Consultation Team 416-586-9780 ext 422, provides support to professionals in the field

Services for both adults and children

Assists adults living with developmental disabilities to access community services and provides workshops to enhance fundamental life skills such as problem solving, budgeting and forming healthy relationships

ADULT SERVICES

Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW) Program - link clients to services and to community resources such as

• affordable housing
• medical services
• mental health services
• legal and child protection services
• social and recreational groups
• employment training and job opportunities
• APSWs and SIL worker do not provide the services directly
• voluntary, short-term, goal-oriented community-based program

Supported Independent Living Worker - Enhanced APSW services

• help with daily living tasks, which may include assistance and support with grocery shopping, escorting to appointments, accompaniment to social and recreational programs

CHILDREN SERVICES

Parent Outreach Program

• individualized teaching program promoting independence for children living with developmental disabilities
• coaching is delivered by home visitors who are parents of children with developmental disabilities

Parent Shared Services

• parents can participate in support groups led by other parents with lived experience raising children with developmental disabilities
• typically offered during the school year, from September to June.

Abuse prevention programs, including one-to-one counselling and therapy groups, intervention and crisis support, education and support services, South Asian Seniors Program, violence against women program, Peel Elder Abuse Support Program, New Beginnings group, Partner Assault Response Program

Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Includes individual counselling, group counselling, e-counselling and phone counselling

Regional lead agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (central region)

COVID19 -- Many services continue to be available to clients by phone (and if necessary, as determined by the Unison provider/staff, in person); call 416-653-5400 for more information

• Legal Services: phone only, 416-653-5400 ext. 1244
• Housing Services: phone only, 416-653-5400 ext. 1306 and leave a message
• Harm Reduction: phone only, 647-999-3094

Community Health Centre

• health services, health promotion
• community services and community development
• Ontario Health Insurance NOT required for general services

Health Services

• family practice including crisis pregnancy, family planning, management of chronic conditions, prenatal and postnatal care, preventative health care, seniors' health, sexual health
• individual and sexuality counselling, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• counselling and case management
• dietitian
• podiatry clinic

Health Promotion

• breastfeeding clinic
• child and parenting programs, including Spanish-speaking groups
• Diabetes Education Centre
• harm reduction programs
• seniors programs
• Toronto Public Health dental clinic
• women's programs
• youth programs

Community Services

• Adult Protective Service program for adults with developmental disabilities
• community kitchen

Housing Help Centre

• client advocacy
• crisis referral to shelters
• eviction prevention
• housing search
• information and referral
• landlord outreach
• negotiation with landlords
• Share the Warmth
• Housing Connections Access Centre
• other Home Services -- rent bank and Streets to Homes Follow-up services

Access Centre for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support

For help with Enbridge gas bills, call 1-855-487-5327