Seniors

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day — June 15

Message from the Minister of Healthy Living and Sport

Abuse and neglect of seniors, who have contributed so much to our society, is unacceptable. For the fourth consecutive year, the Province of British Columbia is joining jurisdictions around the world in honouring and supporting its seniors by proclaiming June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).

Older British Columbians deserve to age in safety and with dignity. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect of older adults occurs throughout the world, with the United Nations estimating that around four to 10 percent of older adults will experience abuse or neglect.

Our greatest hope for preventing and eliminating abuse of older adults is to empower seniors and create communities that support them to live healthy, active and independent lives. And that is exactly what we’re doing with the Provincial Government’s action plan, British Columbia: A Healthy Living Framework. This foundational document provides the direction and goals for us to collectively move forward to support seniors and enhance their participation in the community. To implement the Framework, a Seniors’ Healthy Living Secretariat was established to help build upon successful programs that support older people, make sure information on these programs is easy to find, and work in partnership with others who play an important role in the lives of older people – such as local government, business and community organizations. For example, the opening of ActNow BC Seniors’ Community Parks in a number of communities, as well as our work to create age-friendly communities, is making a difference to help older people stay active and connected.

Building the best system of support is the most effective way to help seniors live healthy, active and independent lives so that they can stay connected to their communities and to each other. The Province is committed to working across ministries and agencies, with federal and local governments, the business sector, community organizations and individuals to support our aging population over the coming years.

Becoming informed about healthy aging, including the causes, signs and prevention of elder abuse, is something every British Columbian can do to support the health, safety and well-being of older friends, family and community members. You can find information on healthy aging at: www.hls.gov.bc.ca/seniors.

Ida Chong
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport