St. Joseph's Health Centre stands up to elder abuse

Staff at all of the St. Joseph's Health Centre facilities wore purple June 15 to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

In June each year, Ontario celebrates seniors and recognizes the contributions they make to our communities. This year’s theme is Vibrant Seniors, Vibrant Communities. As part of our senior’s month celebrations St. Joseph’s Health Centre participated in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population, and brings together senior citizens, and their caregivers, national and local government, academics, and the private sector to exchange ideas about how best to reduce incidents of violence towards elders, increase reporting of such abuse, and to develop elder friendly policies.

Estimates indicate that by 2050, the global population of people above the age of 60 will exceed the number of younger people.