by Michael Erskine
MANITOWANING—Elder abuse, it is the elephant in the room and fittingly that is the title of a series of seniors’ conferences being held on Manitoulin on the subject. The first conference took place in Gore Bay and the next edition of this informative and free event is scheduled to take place between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm on June 26 at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning. There will also be workshops in Mindemoya on September 11 and Little Current on September 18. Not only are the workshops free, there is also transportation via the seniors’ bus, if required.
“These are all open to the public and seniors, family members and caregivers are encouraged to attend,” said Seniors’ Conference committee member Les Fields. “It is designed for anyone interested in the welfare of seniors.”
That interest should extend much further than might at first be evident, she notes. “As the public gets older, this is of concern to more and more people. The information really changes your point of view.” Most of us will likely become seniors at one point in our lives, but it is important to get ahead of the issues before age begins to impact each of us. “There are things you want to know about now, while you are still able to control how you want things to unfold,” she said.
Angry old white man syndrome notwithstanding, most people actually become much more trusting as they age, making them prime targets for scam artists and unscrupulous operators.
“The workshops provide timely, pertinent tips for everyone,” noted Ms. Fields. “If people just take away a little bit from the workshop, we will be happy.”
The workshops, complete with door prizes, a free lunch and refreshments, also provide a great opportunity for people to network and just get together socially.
The program will see Derek Debassige providing a seminar with the provocative title ‘Seniors’ Exercise for the Prevention of Elder Abuse’ and an overview of ‘Scams’ by OPP Constable Al Boyd. The day’s events will finish off with a presentation of the wildly popular Debaj production ‘Elders Gone AWOL.’
The ‘Elephant in the Room’ seniors’ conference is funded through the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program and is hosted by the Manitoulin Seniors Service Providers Network.
Those wishing to attend who need transportation are invited to call 705-377-4088.
