Message from Tony Clement, Minister of Health and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors)

World Elder Abuse Awareness - June 16, 2008

Seniors are the fastest growing population segment in Canada. Currently, 4.2 million Canadians are 65 or older. In the next 25 years, that number will double to almost nine million people, representing one quarter of Canada's population.

An issue of particular importance for seniors and their families is elder abuse. Elder abuse can take various forms including physical, psychological/emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. It includes neglect.

Elder abuse can affect seniors in all walks of life. However, some seniors may be at greater risk: those who are older, female, isolated, or dependent on others. In addition, those who are under the care of someone with an addiction, seniors living in institutional settings, and those who are frail, have a cognitive impairment or a physical disability may be particularly vulnerable.

In Budget 2008, our Government furthered its commitment to combating elder abuse by announcing funding of $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on what support is available. This initiative will complement activities coordinated by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Family Violence Initiative to promote public awareness of the risk factors of family violence.

Our government is committed to improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of Canada's seniors. Last year, we set up the National Seniors Council to provide advice on all matters related to the well-being of seniors. The Council examined the nature and extent of elder abuse in Canada in the fall of 2007. For more information on the Council.

In addition, we have expanded the New Horizons for Seniors Program to help seniors lead more active lives and further participate in their communities. To date, the program has funded over 3,400 local projects, benefiting more than 100,000 participants in over 430 communities across Canada. Recent funding increases now allow the Program to fund national and regional projects that raise awareness of the abuse of older adults. Through this funding, new resources are available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.

Federal activities on elder abuse complement and build upon the efforts by the provinces and territories to address this important issue. Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for seniors are committed to working collectively and within their respective jurisdictions to continue addressing this serious problem. A Federal-Provincial and Territorial-sponsored forum will take place later this week, where experts and stakeholders from across the country will examine the issue of financial abuse of seniors-a type of abuse the National Seniors Council found to be of particular concern.

June 15^th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day set aside to recognize the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

To mark this special day, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, in conjunction with the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, has organized a two-day conference to raise awareness of elder abuse, provide a forum to showcase Canadian elder abuse initiatives and discuss innovations and best practices from around the world.

We encourage all Canadians to reflect on the valuable role that seniors play in each of our lives and to speak out against elder abuse.

Tony Clement
Minister of Health

The Honourable Marjory LeBreton,
Leader of the Government in the
Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors)

For more information, visit:

International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

National Seniors Council

National Clearinghouse on Family Violence: Resources on Abuse of Older Adults