The federal government is hoping additional funding will help address the issue of senior abuse in Ontario.
Ottawa is investing $800,000 funding to the University of Toronto to implement and evaluate RISE, a community program to help respond to mistreatment of older adults and support those who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence.
Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors, made the announcement in Toronto this morning, and says the program will focus on involving family, friends, and formal support services to change the relationship between the person experiencing mistreatment and the person causing harm.
“Seniors deserve to age with dignity and choice,” O’Regan said in a news release. “That can’t happen when seniors are fearing for their safety. Research in elder abuse is how we’ll build the tools we need to stop it.”
Officials say mistreatment of older adults can have serious health and psychosocial consequences, including poor physical and mental health, diminished quality of life, and increased rates of emergency services use, hospitalization, and nursing home placement.