The NWT Seniors’ Society just announced the release of a book born from the dialogue of 26 Indigenous Elders from four regions across the territories. The publication is titled Elder Abuse, The Words of our Elders.
The announcement of the book this week is in honour of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on June 15, which aligns with Senior Citizens’ Month.
“This publication is a result of three workshops where 26 Indigenous Elders from four regions in the N.W.T. participated in rewriting definitions of Elder Abuse in words that made sense to them. DeBeers Canada and New Horizons for Seniors funded the project. The N.W.T. Seniors Society facilitated the three workshops, where Elders provided the definitions, examples and scenarios, then put the publication together honouring elders’ words,” said Karen Willy, who is the executive director of the N.W.T. Seniors Society.
“Family, caregivers, other elders and friends can commit elder abuse. There is no single type of person who commits or is affected by elder abuse,” cautioned Willy.
True North FM reached out to Pat Burnstad, who will share more insights soon about the NWT Seniors’ Society’s initiatives for this month
This year, for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the United Nations focused on addressing the abuse of older adults in long-term care facilities
The United Nations pointed out that across the world, there is a lack of data along with medical staff shortages or lack of adequate training, which play into the high-risk conditions for abuse and neglect.
The UN cautioned that 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year. They warned that Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.
The UN also pointed out that globally, 82 per cent of the estimated deaths due to Covid-19 occurred in people who were 60 years or older
