Searching for Elder Abuse

Perth Elder Abuse Committee (PEACe) is a group of agencies and organizations working collaboratively to educate and provide information about elder abuse in the Perth County community.

Purpose: To enhance the safety and well-being of older adults through the prevention of elder abuse.
Volunteers available to provide information sessions or public presentations about elder abuse prevention.

Committee acts as a public educator on issues related to Elder Abuse as well as a resource facilitator for those choosing to help prevent abuse or rebuild non-abusive lifestyles

A collaborative partnership between the Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network, Home and Community Support.

• Senior Support Team's mission is to prevent and respond to elder abuse by working in partnership with the community and by providing an opportunity for change and healing to people affected by elder abuse, thereby enhancing the safety and well being of older adults
  
• Senior Support Team's mandate includes providing information and consultation, direct intervention, investigating matters of a criminal nature, education and training and community development
  

The Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region is a collaborative of agencies that provides wrap-around, seamless services to victims of domestic violence - all from a single location

The Family Violence Project offers services such as:

• police trained to deal with family violence
• personal counselling for adults and children
• assistance with developing safety plans
• shelters
• crisis/medical support for sexual assault
• financial counselling
• children's services
• support groups
• outreach services to the community
• legal services
• specialized elder abuse services
• rural outreach services and specialized programs
  - all under one roof.

Promotes the awareness and education of elder abuse to the general public and service providers * conducts presentations on elder abuse * assists with ongoing research * supports the development of an overall community response to elder abuse

Helps to protect the rights and interests of mentally incapable adults who have no one else to act on their behalf in accordance with the Substitute Decisions Act (SDA)

The office is responsible for:

• protecting mentally incapable people
• protecting the public's interest in charities (including complaints about charities)
• searching for heirs of estates administered by the office
• investing perpetual care funds

Guardianship Investigation and Provision - Investigates situations in which an adult is alleged to be mentally incapable and suffering, or at risk of suffering, serious harm as a result * makes decisions (decision maker of last resort) about financial affairs, medical treatment and admission to long-term care for adults who are mentally incapable of doing so when there is no one else, such as a family member, willing and able to provide this service * appoints guardians and will serve as court-appointed representative in litigation cases

Power of Attorney - Kits are available that help you appoint the person you want to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself

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

Consultation and assistance to consider options:

• access to help for vulnerable older adults and their families, especially those who have experienced or are at risk of abuse
• referral to community resources and informal seniors groups when appropriate
• temporary safe bed available through selected retirement homes with regard to elder abuse
• consultation for health professionals through the response network is available

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.

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

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.

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 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

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.

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

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

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

Telephone support and information on issues of elder abuse, including physical, mental, emotional and financial abuse

Referral to Family Services of Peel outreach worker as appropriate, with client consent

COVID19 All CMHA Peel Dufferin offices closed to walk-in service

For crisis situations call 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin at 905-278-9036 or 1-888-811-2222 (Caledon & Dufferin)

For support, assessment and access to programs call Intake at 905-451-2123 or 1-877-451-2123, Monday to Friday 8 am-8 pm

Staff available through teleconferencing during regular business hours, all non-essential in-person meetings suspended, and internal events, training and workshops postponed; visit website for updates and information

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Comprehensive wraparound service teams for individuals with complex needs and severe mental health issues

• short and long-term counselling and case management for individuals with mental health and substance use issues
• grants and financial support individuals experiencing housing issues
• mobile outreach for people living on the streets or who are under-housed and have mental health and addiction issues
• court support, and pre-charge diversion program (Caledon)
• system navigation and case management for seniors experiencing neglect and abuse

Education and training to the larger community on stigma surrounding mental health and addictions issues

BounceBack Ontario, 1-866-345-0224, bouncebackontario.ca
Online and virtual mental health supports (see separate listing Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario)