Let’s Talk – Information Sessions About the Various Forms of Elder Abuse

A project supported in part by the Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors program

In 2014 the Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association (J(O)CA) received funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to host information sessions on the subject of Elder Abuse and Awareness.

Elder Abuse and awareness was a new project for the association, which now falls under our Healthy Lifestyles Program.  Lifestyle is not just the way in which you live, but also the way in which you are treated by your family, friends and acquaintances.

Many believe that Elder abuse is not within our communities but one is quite often surprised to learn that it is.  It may not be in all the forms, but may still be there.

Elder Abuse falls under several categories: Mental, Physical, Financial, Isolation and Sexual.  The association focussed on four of the five categories.

The goal of the project was to improve the quality of life of Jamaican and other community seniors by: Increasing their awareness of their own susceptibility to elder abuse and providing them with the tools to protect themselves, help others, and to reach out the broader community for assistance when needed. Although the primary focus was the seniors, the information sessions and seminars also addressed the community as a whole.

The training provided to seniors and others, allowed us to gain the trust of some of the participants to the point that they were asking questions about where they could go to seek help.  Other seniors were more than happy to pass on the information to friends who were having issues and did not know of options that are available to them.

Word of Mouth about our project provided us with the opportunities to speak at and host information kiosks at many events through our established links.  This led to shared resources and partnerships with other community groups such as: Saint Lucian Ottawa Association, Trinidad and Tobago Association, Jaku Konbit, Black History Ottawa, National Institute of Jamaican Canadians, Guyana Cultural Organization and Social Organization of Caribbean Cultural Activities ( Club S.O.C.C.A).i 

  • Navigating your Senior hood – provided by Ottawa Police
  • One on One and group training
  • Information provided at monthly meetings of the Association
  • Kiosks at various functions of the association such as: Jamaica Night at the Races Jamaica Day (JAMDAY), bowling, Heroes Awards and Gala etc.
  • Trinidad and Tobago Association Event (TriniGold)
  • Wine and Cheese symposium
  • Information Kiosk at Art Child
  • Information Kiosk at Kites for Cancer – and Social Organization of Caribbean Cultural Activities       (Club S.O.C.C.A).
  • Information to members at Friendly Corner (Wild About Walking Program)
  • A computer class designed for seniors by Ms. Carol Dennis with the assistance of Mr. David Sutton (Rideau High School) provided the basics of computer usage which included the internet and how to spot computer fraud and scams.
  • Presentation on Elder Abuse and Awareness – Ottawa Church of God (Carol Campbell)
  • Fraud detection and prevention presentation
  • Health Seminar 2014 with 5 other community groups
  • Health Seminar 2015 with 6 other community groups
  • Black History Ottawa (BHO) Presentations: Canada Pension Plan & Old Age Security – Andrea Seminaro, Financial Planning; Meiz Majdoub of the Majdoub group and Estate planning and how seniors can prepare for retirement; the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC ).ghlights of some of the p
  • Constable Matt Hunt and Constable Dawn Neilly of Ottawa Police Service presented on the various frauds that exist, and how to protect yourself from them. Their presentation highlighted frauds that affect seniors disproportionaltely.
  • The Nepean Rideau Osgoode Community Resource Centre/ Elder Abuse Response and Referral Service:  Allison Timmons. Allison also spoke at one of our sessions and provided a lot of information to the group.
  • Deidre Powell, a noteable lawyer in Ottawa’s Jamaican community, who gave a presentation titled “estate planning: leaving lasting legacies” where she provided information on planning the last years of your life.
  • Verna Nuttal – Administrator of the Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program.
  • Clinton Joseph: Abor Memorial – Are you Ready presentation provided the participants with a view of pre-planning ones’ funeral.
  • Patrick and Racquel Joseph – Sunlife Financial
  • Tarrah Mauricette of Caribbean Fitness Fete lead a series of stretches for our yoga components, when she could not attend; Charles and Shyreeta provided us with the exercise components. All three were excellent addition to the presentations. It was important to incorporate a stretching component, as physical health is important in senior’s daily lives.

The project achieved and surpassed our intended results. Our successes will also be shared on our website  (www.jamaicanottawaassn.org) as well as through a newsletter for members who do not utilize the computer on an ongoing basis.knowledgements:

The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association (J(O)CA, would like to acknowledge that this project was made possible primarily by funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors program. As well, J(O)CA wishes to acknowledge the contribution of the 2013-2014 Board of Directors, project managers, partners, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers and finally Ottawa’s multicultural community in supporting and promoting this important topic.