June 15 Senior Abuse Awareness Day

The province's commitment to ensuring seniors are valued within safe communities will be reaffirmed this weekend, when Sunday, June 15, is proclaimed Senior Abuse Awareness Day.

"Safer, healthy communities for all Nova Scotians is one of government's top priorities, and we are working to make sure seniors feel safe in their homes and communities," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Seniors. "Seniors deserve to live in a province where they can be confident that abuse in any form will not be tolerated."

The Department of Seniors is raising awareness of senior abuse through a campaign that includes multimedia advertising, and by supporting events community-organized around the province. The campaign is based on recommendations from the province's Elder Abuse Strategy released in 2005, which reflected the efforts of government, seniors and community partners to take action to maintain the health, dignity and quality of life of seniors.

"In Nova Scotia, and around the world, the issue of abuse and neglect of older persons is often underrecognized," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "We continue to work with communities and our partners to better understand, recognize and prevent senior abuse."

People who want to talk about abusive situations can call the Department of Seniors' toll-free Senior Abuse Line, 1-877-833-3377, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

More information on senior abuse is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/scs/elderabuse.asp .