Prevent, Inform, Protect: Keeping Older Adults Safe Is a Shared Responsibility
Ageing safely means being able to continue enjoying everyday activities, maintaining relationships, and making decisions with confidence. From November 6 to 12, 2026, National Senior Safety Week, organized by the Canada Safety Council, invites everyone to become more aware of potential risks and help create safe, respectful environments for older adults.
Preventing Falls to Maintain Independence
Falls remain a significant concern. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 81,500 fall-related hospitalizations were recorded among adults aged 65 and over in 2023–2024, in provinces and territories where data were available, excluding Quebec.
Fortunately, several measures can help prevent these accidents: improving lighting, keeping walkways clear, installing grab bars, and engaging in appropriate physical activities to maintain balance and muscle strength.
Fraud and Elder Abuse: Recognizing the Warning Signs
Source: pexels-campus
Safety also means protecting financial and emotional well-being.
In 2025, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded more than $704 million in reported losses across all age groups. Fraud attempts often take the form of fake emergency calls, misleading messages, or urgent requests for money.
Taking the time to verify information and discussing unusual situations with someone you trust are valuable precautions.
Elder abuse, whether physical, psychological, financial, or involving neglect, also deserves our attention. It can occur in different settings, sometimes within relationships built on trust.
Resources for Support and Action
In Quebec, the Conférence des Tables régionales de concertation des aînés offers practical guides and helpful resources (in French only).
If you suspect a situation of elder abuse, the Ligne Aide Maltraitance Adultes Aînés provides a listening ear, information, and support at 1-888-489-2287.
Prevention also begins in our everyday relationships: checking in on someone, respecting their choices, sharing useful information, or helping them make their surroundings safer.
Protecting without treating older adults like children, and offering support without imposing decisions: these are meaningful ways to promote ageing with dignity, confidence, and independence.