Another step has been taken towards the creation in Sudbury of the equivalent of a ChildrenÂ?s Aid Society for seniors.
Members of city councilÂ?s Priorities Committee voted Nov. 17 to accept the Mayor and CouncilÂ?s Committee on Seniors Issues (MCCSI) recommendations and to work with the local police board to develop an implementation plan.
Back in early October what was billed as the Accessing Justice for Seniors Conference was held a College Boreal.
One of several key recommendations was that interested parties meet with provincial government leaders to advocate and assist with a study into the viability of a Senior Aid Society based out of Sudbury.
Another recommendation was that the province consider enacting mandatory reporting of all forms of elder abuse or signs of neglect with options to laying of criminal charges or other measures for dealing with elder crime.
Reporting of elder crime or neglect could be made to the proposed Seniors Aid or a similar body to protect the interests of seniors.
City councillor and police board member Eldon Gainer told the elected officials his colleagues at the police station have already begun talks on making the seniors initiative a reality.
Councillor Ted Callaghan added councilÂ?s approval will Â?put wheelsÂ? on the conference recommendations and serve as a prototype to ensure older persons wonÂ?t suffer indignationÂ?s like having bank accounts raided by offspring.
Â?Abuse of older people is growing everyday,Â? said Callaghan. Â?We will be recognized as champions.Â?
The councillor also alluded to the need for improvements to the Sudbury Courthouse so it is friendlier to seniors, not only physically, but also in terms of being less intimidating.
Some older individuals shy away from taking legal action because of the somewhat ominous nature of the court building and system.
Â?We walked around to see how user friendly (the courthouse was) and found it wanting,Â? said Callaghan.
At the October conference, Sudbury police chief Ian Davidson also urged participants not to exclude consideration of community measures. The measures include things like protocols, public awareness campaigns, self audits and professional adequacy standards for professionals, restorative justice, referrals or alternative measures when determining the most appropriate mechanism for dealing with crimes or neglect involving seniors.