Keeping Seniors Safe (CANADA)

Keeping seniors safe

Local News

By MELISSA DI COSTANZO

STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM

City police have launched a new initiative to keep seniors safe by informing them about issues that could affect them.

The Cornwall Community Police Service will distribute information on phone scams, elder abuse and any other criminal matters which could affect the seniors in Cornwall.

"Some seniors don't get newspapers and don't watch the local news. They're not aware," said Const. Brenda MacIntosh, elder abuse prevention officer. "Some of them are not well informed as to the current trends and issues. Sometimes, they're the most vulnerable. It's tough to stay current with all the issues that surround fraud and abuse."

The service is acting in partnership with Le Centre CharlesÉmile-Claude on this pilot project.

"We want to see how it's going to work," said MacIntosh. "If the project takes off, and I'm very hopeful that it will, we'll have different groups to send information off to."

MacIntosh said she is confident this project is going to work.

And here's how it works: the program will be delivered via email to the center's director, who will be responsible for forwarding the information through email to the center's membership. The director of the centre may also provide hard copies of the information to their membership for those who do not have access to the Internet and will encourage further distribution to seniors.

MacIntosh said she wants to challenge seniors to pass on the received information to those who are shut-in.

"They are the most vulnerable," she said. "There's a friendly voice at the other end of the phone and before you know it, there goes your life savings."

The purpose of this partnership is to ensure seniors are made aware of issues relating to them and to keep seniors, who many not have access to centers such as Le Centre CharlesÉmileClaude or other mediums, in the loop.

"The more information we provide, the better they're going to be when making decisions about money and power of attorney," said MacIntosh.

Upon request, crime reduction/ community partnership officers will make presentation to various senior groups.

Once the project has been fully developed, the service plans on inviting other seniors' groups to participate.
MacIntosh said the length of the pilot program hasn't been determined.
"A couple of months; we'll see how it goes," she said. "We're hoping to get other agencies that work with seniors (involved). I want to get as many agencies and groups involved so we can get this information out and actively talk about this."

SOURCE:   The Standard Freeholder

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