1. A View from Manitoba: Direct Client Services Presented By: Amanda Macrae, Chief Executive Officer, Age & Opportunity Inc. & Stacey Miller, Manager of Community Services, Age & Opportunity Inc.

2. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Mission Age & Opportunity Inc. is a not-for-profit social service agency that offers life- enhancing programs and services to older adults 55+ living in the province of Manitoba. Age & Opportunity’s programs and services support and enhance the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual lives of older persons and actively promote participation in all aspects of community life.

3. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Age & Opportunity strives to be a recognized community partner in the development and delivery of innovative services that empower older adults to lead healthy, vibrant lives. Vision

4. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 The Agency A not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services to older adults 55+ Established in 1957 in response to the need from older adults and their caregivers Governed by a Board of Directors

5. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 History Age & Opportunity established on May 8, 1957 1957 – 1966 – Opened the first Winnipeg Senior Citizen’s Day Centre (October 1960) 1961 – Touring Program was launched 1967 – Centres expanded and the first Friendly Visiting Coordinator was hired Age & Opportunity was responsible for the development of Creative Retirement Manitoba, founded in 1973 1977 – Age & Opportunity participated in a Seniors Organizational Study, leading to the formation of the Manitoba Society for Seniors (MSOS) in 1979 The Senior Citizens’ Job Bureau was established in 1978; the Job Bureau started out under the Age & Opportunity umbrella 1978 – First Volunteer Coordinator hired 1982 – Established Age & Opportunity Enterprises Ltd. as a travel service agency

6. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 History Continued 1982 – The agency celebrated its 30 th Anniversary and received the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award 1990 – The Elder Abuse Resource Centre was established 1997 – English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program established 1998 – EAL Program grew to serve over 300 newcomer older adults 2000 Onward: Increased community outreach Established new communication tools re-named website launched the newsletter developed Focal Point newsletter established the CJOB Seniors Radio Show 2007 – Celebrated the Agency’s 50 th Anniversary

7. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 4-10% of older adults (50+) experience one or more forms of abuse or neglect at some point in their later years 6,000-16,000 Older Manitobans Only one in five cases comes to the attention of those who can help How many are affected by elder abuse in Manitoba?

8. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Elder Abuse Services 2008- 09 Statistics 784 Total Clients (individual, group counselling) We receive additional Elder Abuse cases through Older Victim Services (referrals from the Winnipeg Police)

9. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Types of abuse reported: Financial: 118 Emotional: 127 Physical: 45 Neglect: 28 Sexual: 1 Direct & Indirect client service hours: 1537 Elder Abuse Services 2008-09 Statistics

10. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Reporting Elder Abuse in Manitoba In institutional settings-Protection for Persons in Care Act In community settings in Manitoba-no specific elder abuse legislation

11. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Offering elder abuse services for over 20 years Referrals through Intake Line Office, home, hospital, off-site visits Short and long-term counselling Advocacy Information on Elder Abuse and applicable legislation (Protection for Persons In Care Act, Vulnerable Persons Act) Legal info (Power of Attorney, wills, A&O legal clinics, court orders) Elder Abuse Services Individual Counselling

12. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Elder Abuse Services Individual Counselling (cont.) Assistance accessing resources to reduce dependency on abuser: Financial (EIA, pensions, credit splitting) Housing safe, affordable housing A&O housing consultations crisis shelters, Safe Suite Home care Meals Transportation

13. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Elder Abuse Services Group Counselling ‘You and Your Adult Child or Grandchild’ Support/Educational Group Open to men, women, couples 55+ 8-10 week group

14. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 If charges are laid in an Elder Abuse case, Social Workers assist with: Court updates Victim Impact Statements Compensation for Victims of Crime Program Arranging court tours Arranging translation services Arranging transportation (no cost for victims) Court accompaniment Elder Abuse Services Court Assistance

15. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Older Victim Services Social workers provide counselling and practical assistance for individuals 60+ that have been victims of crime in Winnipeg Direct referrals from the Winnipeg Police Service as well as community-based referrals Provide court update, assistance navigating the legal system Assist with Victim Impact Statements, Compensation for Victims of Crime Program Court Assistance (arrange tours, transportation, translation, accompaniment) Assist ~1000 clients/year

16. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Elder Abuse Services Protection Orders Age & Opportunity has four Protection Order Designates (POD) Protection order has specific conditions that can be used to protect one person from another POD can assist in person at the law courts, or through teleconference assistance. Protection Order Designates are available in most rural areas of Manitoba.

17. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Age & Opportunity’s Safe Suite Program First Safe Suite opened October 2006 Second Safe Suite opened in July 2007 Twelve occupants to date Social Workers provide intense counselling services and safety planning Furnished accommodations for up to 60 days at no cost (longer stays = lower recidivism rates) Practical assistance with arranging finances, housing, legal and support services

18. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Funding Sources Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Manitoba Seniors & Healthy Aging Secretariat

19. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Other Programs SafetyAid – crime and falls prevention This Full House – program to assist older adults that hoard Friendly Visiting Counselling services English as an additional language Housing Consulations Housing Expo Legal services Centres for older adults

20. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Access to Programs Most often, social workers link clients between programs within Age & Opportunity For example: client living with abusive partner, living in hoarding conditions. Fear of reporting either situation as she was told her partner would kill her if he lost his cats.

21. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 Other elder abuse initiatives First ever 2008 Manitoba Elder Abuse Conference Co-chair World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Events Across the Generations – intergenerational program targeted at the prevention of elder abuse Manitoba Network towards the Prevention of the abuse of Older Adults

22. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 The DVD was developed by the Winnipeg Elder Abuse Strategy Working Group, co-chaired by Age & Opportunity to assist in increasing knowledge, awareness and the ability for individuals in the community to respond to situations of abuse towards older adults. This DVD is designed to educate community gatekeepers and provide them with accessible information in order for them to be able to identify and provide information about support services and/or refer to community-based supports. This DVD is also meant to increase the awareness and knowledge of resources available to older adults that may be experiencing abuse. It’s Everybody’s Business DVD

23. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 It’s Everybody’s Business DVD This DVD will be available to individuals and professionals at no cost to them, and will be available in both English and French. The DVD will be accompanied by a facilitator’s guide that will assist individual showing the DVD. The guide will provide support to the DVD offering information, tools, and facts about elder abuse.

24. ONPEA National Conference November, 2009 No one ever deserves to be abused or neglected.