CARP has called for a comprehensive strategy aimed at ending elder abuse. In particular:
1. Elder Abuse Hot Line – single point of first contact: 911, 211 or a 1-800 line – widely known across the country, with the capacity to re-direct to local service agencies, and sensitive to diverse cultural and linguistic needs. 911 already has this capability but needs to be assigned this mandate and local service agencies must exist and be properly resourced.
2. Duty to Report reflects social responsibility. Elder abuse is a public crime, not just a personal matter, as with spouse abuse reporting protocols. There must be clear guidelines for action and intervention, protection and the professional investigative capacity to respond to such reporting.
3. Added Caregiver Support – greater support of the estimated 2.7 million Canadians now caring for loved ones at home by providing targeted financial support, especially to those providing heavy care, workplace protection, respite, and work-leave and integrating support for informal caregivers with the formal health system, through training and clinical support.
4. Specialized Investigative and Prosecutorial Support – for existing criminal offenses.
5. Expedite passage of the Bill for Exacerbated Sentencing – for crimes of neglect, abuse, breach of trust and other crimes perpetrated against the elderly already in the Criminal Code.
6. New Criminal Offence of Elder Abuse – if warranted following a review.
7. Victim Support Services and elder shelter – ensure uniform and adequate access to specialized support across the country.
For CARP’s submission at a recent Roundtable hosted by the current Minister of State for Seniors, Alice Wong, please see: https://carp-20230727.s3.amazonaws.com/2012/01/Elder-Abuse-Position-Paper.pdf
CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission.
For further information, please contact:
Pam Maher 416.607.2475
Communications coordinator
[email protected]
Michael Nicin 416.607.2479
Policy Development and Government Relations
[email protected]
for
Susan Eng, Vice President Advocacy
