National Senior Safety Week

National Seniors’ Safety Week runs from November 6 to 12. Launched by the Canada Safety Council, this annual campaign focuses on various aspects of preventing risks to seniors.

The Council reiterated the importance of adopting safety measures in the home, particularly to prevent falls. According to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the over-65 age group accounts for 51% of hospitalizations, even though it represents only 35% of the country’s population.

The dangers of identity theft and fraud also feature regularly in these campaigns, as does the impact of abuse. One third of elder abuse is perpetrated by a family member. Elder abuse takes many forms, from physical violence to intimidation and psychological distress, not to mention neglect, sexual assault and financial fraud.

The Canada Safety Council’s goal is to raise awareness and help seniors make their environment safer.

At the same time, a number of organizations are actively involved in helping seniors to exercise vigilance and prevent risks. One such organization is the Conférence des Tables régionales de concertation des aînés du Québec. This organization offers support in many ways, including guides and resources (in French only).