Leading the Way - The Work Continues Presentation on the NWT Seniors - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Leading the Way - The Work Continues

Presentation on the NWT Seniors’ Society Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013

Baker Community Centre, Yellowknife, NT November 8 & 9, 2011

NWT Seniors’ Society: Who Are We?

 Incorporated under the Societies Act as a non-

profit organization in March 1983

 Society Board Representation is from Fort Smith;

Fort Resolution; Hay River; Yellowknife; Inuvik; Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Providence & Fort Good Hope

 Seeks to advance its vision, mission and mandate

• n behalf of elders and seniors throughout the

North.

Vision, Mission and Mandate

Vision:

All Seniors are valued and respected by the community

Mission:

Ensure Seniors have dignity, independence, participation,

fairness and security within the community

Mandate:

Dedicated to promoting the independence and wellbeing

• f older citizens through the provision of programs and

services in partnership with responsible government departments and other organizations.

Guiding Principles

In its work, the Society is guided by the principles as

• utlined in the National Framework on Aging:

 Dignity – being treated with respect, regardless of the situation, giving a

sense of self-esteem

 Independence – being in control of one’s life  Participation – being involved, staying active & taking part  Fairness – having needs considered equally with others  Security – having adequate income in a safe and supportive

environment

Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013 Goals

1.

Support more seniors/elders living independently in their

• wn homes

2.

Maintain the existing level of health benefits available to seniors in the NWT

3.

Encourage more seniors/elders to live active, healthy lifestyles

4.

Encourage and support community based elders/seniors groups

5.

Enhance the capacity of the NWT Seniors’ Society

6.

Eliminate elder abuse in the NWT

None of these can be viewed in isolation ; all are interconnected – progress in one area will have a positive impact on all others.

• 1. Support more seniors living

independently in their own homes

Progress/action to date:

 Seniors’ Information Highway in June & September 2011 – Involved

NWTHC to have display table and make presentations

 At workshops in communities (Hay River & Ft Simpson) invited

local Housing Authority representatives to participate

 Met with Shelter Executive Directors to advocate on behalf of

vulnerable older adults who are victims of violence & abuse

 Calls about Housing issues on 1-800 line – advocating on behalf of

individual seniors/elders

 Involvement with YK Homelessness Coalition & Anti-Poverty

Coalition

 Participation at & Input to NWTHC Shelter Policy at 1-day

workshop at Baker Community Centre, YK

 Make recommendations to NWTHC on seniors housing Issues

• 2. Maintain the existing level of health benefits

available to seniors in the NWT

Progress/Action to date:

 Advocates on behalf of Seniors/Elders with DH&SS and Health

Authorities

 Advocate to maintain levels of Health Benefits for Seniors  Petitioned GNWT about its plan to erode supplementary health

benefits for Seniors (Over 3000 signatures from across the NWT in February 2009)

 Elders Parliament 2010 – raised the issue of seniors health benefits  Sent Email to all MLA’S in October 2011 asking them about their

position on seniors health benefits.

 Committed to continue to work together with other concerned

groups and organizations to address this issue

• 3. Encourage more seniors/elders to live active,

healthy lifestyles

Progress/Action to Date:

 Partnership with NWT Recreation & Parks Association and the

Dene Nation – Elders in Motion - many elders/seniors in some communities participate in this program

 Seniors groups involved in Canada 55 + Games every two years  The annual South Mackenzie Friendship Games in Fort Smith

draws Seniors from across the NWT - funding from Sports North and community fund raising

 Partnership with ECE on Youth and Seniors Literacy Events projects

• ften involves youth and seniors in physical activities

 DHSS is also a partner in its various health promotion activities to

encourage older adults to get out and be active

• 4. Encourage and support community based

elders/seniors groups

Progress/Action to Date:

 Part time staff person to meet with community groups interested in

forming seniors/elders groups or societies (Enterprise, Fort Simpson)

 Invitation from other communities continue to come in to Society  Provides information to seniors/elders community groups on

potential funding sources

 Society participates on the HRSDC New Horizons for Seniors

Regional Funding Review Committee

 Promote the formation of seniors/elders groups & societies at

Society sponsored Information Highways, at the Society’s AGM, during community workshops and meetings, etc

• 5. Enhance the capacity of the NWT Seniors’

Society

Progress/Action to date:

 Reconstructed and updated Society’s website in May 2011 –

www.nwtseniorssociety.ca

 Developed a repository of information on seniors issues – current

focus is on preventing abuse of older adults

 Partnering with First Nation and Inuit organizations on various

activities (Building Networks Project, Elders in Motion, WEAAD)

 Regular communication with various Federal, Provincial and

Territorial departments and agencies on issues relevant to older adults

• 6. Eliminate elder abuse in the NWT

Progress to Date:

 As already stated, action and progress on all five of the foregoing

goals will have a positive impact on the prevention of elder abuse

So, what have we been doing specifically in this area?

 The Society has a history of involvement in the issue of preventing abuse of older

adults (PSA’S on elder abuse during the 1990’s; Taking Action on Elder Abuse Report 2001; A Plan for Action – Respect Our Elders - Stop the Abuse 2004; Bridges Between the Generations Report 2005)

 Declared June , 2011 as NWT Elder Abuse Awareness Week  Active member of Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)  Connecting with provincial networks to prevent elder abuse – attending conference,

workshops, etc.

 Major Push in May 2010: Initiated the Making Connections –

Building Networks to Prevent Elder Abuse Project

Making Connections - Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults

Making Connections - Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults

Three Phase Project:

Phase I: Research & Information Gathering – May to October 2010 Phase II: NWT-Wide Symposium - November 30 – December 1, 2010 Phase III: Development of an Action Plan to Prevent the Abuse of Older Adults in the NWT

 Repository of Information on Elder Abuse available on NWT

Seniors’ Society’s Website

 Development of a Framework for Action Document  We’re now into the next steps of Phase III and the reason for

this workshop today and tomorrow.

A Framework for Action

1.

Communication

2.

Education and Awareness

3.

Prevention

4.

Training

5.

Networks

6.

Legislation, Policies and Approaches

7.

Funding Two other areas we hope to address are:



Advocacy



Identifying and Addressing Root Causes

That’s All Folks!!

Who are the Older Adults of the NWT? A Demographic Profile

Source: NWT Bureau of Statistics 2009 Stats

 Total population - 43,439  60+ age group – 3,828  Older adults are the fastest growing

segment of the NWT population – will double by 2024 – 60+ - 8,177

 Older population are migrating slowly to

larger centers, especially Yellowknife 33%

 28% live in regional centers of Hay River,

Fort Smith and Inuvik, and 40% live in the remaining 29 small communities

Demographic Profile -Continued

Older adults in the NWT do not live as long

as older adults in the rest of Canada

Women generally have a longer life

expectancy than males, and females of non- Aboriginal descent live longer than those of Aboriginal descent

Approximately 44% of older adults had a

personal income less than $25,000/year.

NWT Population Projections, by Age, 2009 - 2029

2009 2014 2019 2024 2029 NWT 43,439 44,988 46,357 47,376 48,104 0 - 4 3,352 3,654 3,712 3,605 3,474 5 - 14 6,092 6,032 6,431 6,729 6,710 15 - 24 7,234 6,978 6,026 5,998 6,425 25 - 44 13,900 14,139 14,941 14,876 14,369 45 - 59 9,033 8,469 8,469 7,991 8,291 60+ 3,828 5,322 6,778 8,177 8,835

Programs and Activities

 Elder Abuse Workshops since 1995  Seniors’ Information Line since 1995  Seniors’ Advisory Council since 1995  Establishment of NWT Prevention of Elder Abuse

Committee beginning in 1999-2000

 Seniors’ Action Plan 2001-2003  Canada Senior Games – 2004, 2006, and 2008  Released report entitled, A Plan for Action:

Respect Our Elders – Stop the Abuse --2004

Programs & Activities -Continued

 Report on Youth & Elders Forum, Bridges Between the

Generations Conference, N’dilo, November 2005

 Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Older Adults,

proclaimed September, 2006

 Arctic Ambassador Program since 2008, operating in three

communities beginning in 2011

 Community Outreach Mini-Workshops since 2009  Senior Citizens’ Week and Grandparents’ Day  Youth and Seniors Literacy Funding Projects since 2009

Programs & Activities – Continued

 Emergency Medical Information Kits  Input and advice to the NWTHC  Participation in the Anti-poverty Strategy; YK

Protocol Development & Coalition Against Family Violence Group.

 Advocating for the rights of older adults

Abuse of Older Adults a is violation of Fundamental Principles

 Abuse of older adults in all its forms is a violation of all five

principals adopted by the NWT Seniors’ Society

 Abuse takes many forms including: physical; sexual;

psychological; verbal; financial; emotional; spiritual; political, as well as incidences of neglect

 Over the years, the Society has sought to address this

troubling issue through various activities to raise awareness and seek ways and means to stop abuse

 The Society’s latest initiative , Making Connections –

Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults, began in May 2010

Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent the Abuse of Older Adults Project

Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults – 2010-2011

Funding from HRSDC New Horizons for Seniors, (Elder Abuse Federal Initiative); GNWT – H&SS/Executive, BHP Billiton for:

 Phase 1 – Community Research and Literature

Review;

 Phase 2 - Territory-wide Symposium;  Phase 3 - Network Building and “A Framework

for Action.

Building Networks Project Steering Committee

 A Project Steering Committee (PSC) was established to give direction and oversight

to this project.

 The PSC was chaired by the President of the NWT Seniors’ Society, Beatrice

Campbell, Fort Smith.

 The membership of the PSC included representatives from:

 Canadian Network on the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)  Department of Health & Social Services  Dene Nation  RCMP (G Division)  Department of Justice  North Slave Métis Alliance  Inuvialuit Regional Corporation  YWCA  Canadian Mental Health Association, NWT Division  Fort Smith Senior Citizens Society  Yellowknife Victims Services

Phase 1 Summary of Research Findings

 71% of older adults surveyed said that abuse of older adults

is a problem in their community

 28% did not know if it is a problem  All forms of abuse exist but the most common forms are

financial (77%), neglect (68%), emotional (63%), and verbal abuse (54%)

 There is a high level of uncertainty and silence  47% said they did not know how to protect themselves, and  38% said they didn’t know where to go for help.

Phase 1 Best/Promising Practices and Lessons Learned

Three recent documents were reviewed in detail:

 Best Practices for Stopping Abuse of Older Adults in the

NWT (2005)

 Outlook 2007: Promising Approaches in the Prevention of

Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults in Community Settings in Canada (2007), and

 Promising Approaches for Addressing/Preventing Abuse of

Older Adults in First Nations Communities: A Critical Analysis and Environmental Scan of Tools and Approaches (2009).

Phase 1 Some Common Best Practices Identified

 In First Nation and Inuit communities, culturally

appropriate response and prevention strategies that are supported with implementation tools, guidelines, and programs that use family and culture-based approaches, contribute to community capacity, and use community knowledge

 Educating professionals and training frontline workers to

recognize abuse, the dynamics of abuse, and procedures when abuse is suspected or detected

 Comprehensive strategies and networks at all levels (raising

awareness, empowering elders/seniors to develop support groups and peer networks, and relationships among community services)

 Territory/province-wide strategies that provide dedicated

and sustained funding

 Annual recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Phase 1 Describes individual, family, community and society-wide interventions:

Individual:



Counseling techniques that offer Western and traditional therapies and use language that avoids blaming and restores dignity

Family:



Interventions such as family conferencing that involve a multi- disciplinary team, focus on the “whole family” including the abuser, and are intergenerational

Community:



Interventions such as interagency protocols, agency networks, agency- elder/senior networks, use of existing elders programs, family violence programs, and community justice circles involving local leadership, and training front-line workers

Societal:



Interventions such as policies or legislation, well funded and sustained strategies, and broadly based information campaigns.

Phase 2 Territory-wide Symposium

 A two-day symposium, “Making Connections –

Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults” was held in Yellowknife – November 30 – December 1, 2010

 More than 100 individuals, with over 35% attendees

being older adults, along with service providers and community leaders came together to learn about the research and come up with recommendations for moving forward

 Professionals from the CNPEA, with experience in the

development of networks across Canada and others, attended to deliver workshops and provide support .

Phase 3 Network Building: A Framework for Action

 Developing support networks for those involved

in addressing abuse of older adults in the NWT

 Internet information, repository of tools to

support community development of networks

 A framework for action bringing together the

findings from Phase 1 and 2

“A Framework for Action”

Priority Action Items from Phase 1 & 2

Areas Requiring Action

1.

Communications

2.

Education & Awareness

3.

Prevention

4.

Training

5.

Addressing the Root Causes

6.

Building Community, Regional & Territorial Networks

7.

Legislation, Policy & Other Approaches

8.

Advocacy

9.

Funding

A Framework for Action: Communications

 Build a territorial, regional and community media

campaign and communications plan to follow up

• n the work to date beginning with proclaiming

NWT Elder Abuse Awareness Week for 2011

 Use innovation and variety in the methods used

to conduct the media campaign – Internet, Face book, YouTube, radio and television

 Continue to convey the messages that abuse of

• lder adults is as serious a social issue in the NWT

as poverty and violence against women.

A Framework for Action: Education &

Awareness

 Advocate for education and information sessions .

Target audiences might be service providers, frontline responders, schools, and elders/seniors

 Advocate for programming in NWT schools to

prevent abuse of older adults

 Provide materials and promote awareness in

• fficial languages in the NWT.

A Framework for Action: Prevention

 Establish and support inclusive and

representative elders/seniors groups in all communities where social and other gatherings

• ccur regularly

 Advocate for recreation programs for

elders/seniors in all communities

 Advocate for regular visits to older adults who are

isolated and/or need assistance (e.g. by the CHR, homecare worker or an elder/senior advocate).

A Framework for Action: Training

 Develop and deliver older adult abuse sensitivity

training to front-line workers and professions

 Develop, test and deliver generic information on

the dynamics of abuse and how to appropriately response when abuse is suspected or disclosed

 Monitor and do ongoing refinement of the

materials.

A Framework for Action: Root Causes

 Work with other groups to address the social and

economic root causes of abuse of older adults (e.g. poverty, residential school experiences, inter- generational disconnect, addictions):

 Identify opportunities for working with

• rganizations on initiatives (research, policy

development, projects and programs) to address the root causes of abuse of older adults

 Raise awareness and share information about root

causes of abuse of older adults

 Lobby for and support actions that respond to

root causes.

A Framework for Action: Building Community, Regional & Territorial Networks

 Reinstate the NWT Abuse of Older Adults Prevention

Committee/Territorial Network

 Encourage broader community representation and

membership in the NWT Seniors’ Society

 Determine whether community and regional

networks, and/or a territorial network should be established under the family violence framework or an interagency group framework which worked best with a paid coordinator.

A Framework for Action: Legislation, Policies & Other Approaches

 Examine adult protection legislation that currently

exists across Canada to determine the nature of these laws and explore why some jurisdictions felt such legislation was necessary and why others did not

 Examine and make recommendations on what

legislative model might be appropriate for the NWT and what the legislation and regulations for the NWT might include

 If required, advocate for new legislation and/or changes

to existing legislation and/or policies with respect to adult protection.

A Framework for Action: Advocacy

 Lobby the GNWT and Coalition Against Family Violence for higher

priority and a strategic plan for addressing abuse of older adults including a shift to positive service responses to abuse

 Advocate for policies and procedures on abuse of older adults so front-

line workers can intervene with culturally appropriate responses such as family conferencing that involve a multi-disciplinary team and focus on a “whole family”

 Advocate for documentation and reporting of incidences of abuse  Advocate for regional or community-based elders/seniors’ advocates

who function as a single entry point to a network of supports.

A Framework for Action: Funding

 Seek funding and/or in-kind services to support

committee/network operations (e.g. meeting space, phone, fax, computers)

 Advocate for more flexible government funding for

seniors’ groups to ensure they have adequate resources to sustain elder-senior-focused activities and projects in their communities

 Find opportunities to build on existing activities in

communities to address abuse of older adults.

Phase III – Network Building and a Framework for Action

Where are we now?

Accomplished to Date:

 NWT Seniors’ Society continues to advocate for a higher

priority and inclusion of programs and supports to address the abuse of older adults including mandatory data collection mechanisms in the NWT (e.g. Family Violence Action Plan III, meeting with the Minister Responsible for Seniors, etc.)

 Senior Citizens’ Week was renamed to NWT Elder Abuse

Awareness Week, June 12-18, 2011.

 Research report on Older Adult Protection Legislation for

the NWT approved by NWTSS Board, March 2011.

Accomplished to Date: Continued

 The Research Report, Symposium Report and “A Framework

for Action” documents tabled in the Legislative Assembly

• n May 17, 2011 by the Minister Responsible for Seniors.

 Successfully secured a multi-year funding agreement from

GNWT Department of Health and Social Services 2011-2013 at same levels as in 2010/2011.

 Repository of reports, tools and supports for front-line

workers in addition to revamped NWT Seniors’ Society website containing more up-to-date information to support service providers was launched in May 2011.

Accomplished to Date: Continued

 Yellowknife Seniors’ Society held their AGM on March 17

and a delegate from the Symposium gave a presentation on Poverty and Elder Abuse issues.

 Requests for community presentations from a growing

number of community groups to talk about elder abuse, setting up of elders groups, research findings and who to connect in the community or region to get support for elders who are abused. Three community visits have been made and more are in the works.

Phase III – Next Steps

 Strategic Planning Workshop in Yellowknife, November 8 & 9, 2011 –

“Leading the Way, The Work Continues”

 Key items for the agenda:

 Review Society’s Vision and Strategic Plan for 2010-2013  Review the Society’s Making Connections – Building Networks Project

and Framework for Action

 Establish an NWT Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse – Some

considerations include:



Governance Model



Who Would be Involved



Regional and Community Representation



Reporting Relationships



Roles and Responsibilities of the Membership



Role of the NWT Seniors’ Society Board of Directors & Staff  Priority setting and input into detailed Action Plan 2011-2015

That’s All Folks!!! Questions???