More Community-based Support Available for Seniors at Risk of Abuse

Seniors at risk of financial, emotional, physical, and other forms of elder abuse will be safer and more informed after $270,000 in annual grants for community-based programs.

The province is again inviting proposals from community organizations interested in supporting a local seniors' safety program. Funding is available to a maximum of $20,000 per program, per year.

"It's important to make sure our seniors are safe, well-informed consumers because that makes life better for all Nova Scotians," said Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister of Seniors. "We continue to support existing seniors' safety programs throughout the province and hope to extend those programs even further in terms of new activities and provincial coverage."

The programs develop and enhance awareness about seniors' safety topics in communities, promote communication between seniors and police, and encourage more contact between seniors and young people to foster respect and positive relationships between generations.

"This funding lets us provide a lot more programming than we otherwise could," said Barb Dewtie, seniors' safety program co-ordinator, Pictou County Municipalities Crime Prevention Association. "It's great that all regions in the province can have that opportunity as well."

The Department of Seniors contributes $220,000 to fulfil the Nova Scotia Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and Prevention. The Department of Justice contributes an additional $50,000 as part of the its actions to reduce and prevent crime. The deadline for applications is Friday, Oct. 15.

Application information is available at www.gov.ns.ca/seniors or by calling toll-free 1-800-670-0065.