CARP has been advocating for a National Elder Abuse Emergency hotline with an easy number to remember like “911”. CARP believes that the national hotline should be well promoted and advertised so that all seniors are aware of its existence. ONPEA’s hotline for the Province of Ontario is a good model for what should be done across all provinces and with a single number to remember. In the absence of a National hotline it is vital that help lines like Ontario’s Seniors Safety Line continue to exist. It currently operates at 100% capacity and as it stands the future of its funding in uncertain.
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA) is asking families, businesses and communities around Ontario to join the conversation over A Cup of Tea to better protect their loved ones.
Host-A-Tea in your home, office or association for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. All proceeds will directly benefit the preservation of ONPEA’s Senior Safety Line.
Register your party for a minimum donation of $25 per home (under 10 guests) and $100 per office/association. To thank you, we will send you a supply of ONPEA signature loose-leaf tea for your party and information on elder abuse to share with your guests.
Registration is available online at www.acupoftea.ca.
The Senior Safety Line (SSL) was created to be there for vulnerable seniors when no one else can. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in 150 languages. It is the only hotline of its kind in Ontario and is currently at 100% capacity. This is due to the fact that there is only one dedicated line available. In it’s first two years of operation the SSL received 13,500 callers, 74% of these callers were between 55-64 years of age. The SSL is currently operating on a three-year grant provided by The Ontario Trillium Foundation which runs out in March 2012. The SSL belongs to everyone and it needs your support now, not only to fund a second line but to keep the current one operating.
For more information or to register your party online please visit www.acupoftea.ca or call 416-916-6728.
