Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today I will table the new NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan: Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults.
Seniors and elders are the fastest growing segment of the Northwest Territories population. Unfortunately, the vulnerability of many elders leaves them open to exploitation, often by relatives or others in their community. The Northwest Territories Seniors’ Society reports within its new action plan entitled Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults that 71 percent of older adults say the abuse of older adults is a problem in their community. While all forms of abuse exist, the most common forms are financial, neglect, emotional and verbal.
Protecting the health and welfare of all NWT residents is a priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank the NWT Seniors for this action plan. The Department of Health and Social Services will consider these recommendations in our new five-year strategic plan.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has included elder abuse prevention as part of the overall strategy to prevent family violence.
The department considers senior abuse an important issue. We have provided $187,452 to the NWT Seniors’ Society, and $90,000 of this funding was used by the NWT Seniors’ Society for community outreach work to support their Building Networks to Prevent Elder Abuse Symposium.
The NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan includes many valid recommendations to address abuse. It is the role of governments, NGOs, community leaders and northern society as a whole not to turn a blind eye to elder abuse. We all have a responsibility to prevent the abuse of our elders. We all must stand together and say this is not acceptable in our communities.
The Department of Health and Social Services continues to pursue initiatives to provide enhanced services for NWT seniors, such as long-term care planning, injury prevention for seniors, developing new continuing care strategies, and elder abuse awareness and prevention.
The department’s Foundation for Change Action Plan recognizes the importance of working with our stakeholders and partners on policies and programs for seniors and elders. We will continue to work collaboratively with the NWT Seniors’ Society towards eliminating elder abuse and ensuring our seniors enjoy the benefits of healthy aging and a better quality of life. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Michael McLeod.
