to end elder abuse. Future Us is a pan-Canadian engagement strategy that has been developed for people of all ages. The roadmap is for citizens, advocates, professionals and leaders in communities and governments to help us work from different parts of society on a shared project to prevent violence and abuse of older people in their homes and communities. Our future is up to us.
We need to acknowledge inequities and discrimination against older people at a societal level. Age is a protected ground under the Canadian Human Rights Act. The current normalization of ageism must be addressed because it condones and sets the stage for elder abuse. Age-related issues need to be tackled as a whole society, as a pan-Canadian project of social change.
Everyone has a role to play, but first we need to understand the issues to be addressed, potential roles, and the many different opportunities to contribute to positive social change.
For this strategy to work, it is fundamental to create opportunities to tap into the experience and wisdom of diverse communities. The idea of one voice “representing” whole groups of people around a single table is an impossible task. It can lead too often to tokenism and competing priorities. Instead, true engagement requires giving people the means to convene themselves. A series of facilitated community dialogues can create space for local populations and groups to offer multiple perspectives that are more representative of the whole community.
This report sets out a roadmap with “how-to” practical suggestions and examples of best practices and policies. The roadmap is a starting point. The actions we suggest should spark dialogue and generate more ideas and actions as people engage. There are many different routes to the common destination of prevention.
Across the country, there are trailblazers and innovators who are committed to social change to shift social norms that value older people and the different experiences of aging. Different levels of governments have made investments, albeit in an uneven way. We are in motion. Future Us aims to consolidate and build on what is already working.
To be successful, we must work collaboratively and systematically toward large scale social change, valuing all contributions and building relationships as we go. We will build the road as we walk it.
elder abuse prevention in every community.
elder abuse prevention networks at local, regional and national levels. Networks are critical infrastructure for information sharing, knowledge mobilization, research, and ongoing engagement across sectors and communities.
to recognize warning signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond safely and effectively and where to refer in the community to find help.
The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse will provide updates on our progress.
It will take all of us to achieve such large goals. We need collective action that holds a steady lens on the underlying issue of ageism. Working together can open hearts and minds to the full experience of aging. It will also allow us to tap into the rich diversity in perspectives and experiences to inform the path along the way. We are working to create a better world for ourselves and for the generations that will come after us.
What quality of life do you envision for yourself as you get older?
What do you hope for your children and grandchildren?
Join us — you have a lot to contribute, and we need you.
Future Us is designed as a practical guide for a wide audience. It is intended to serve as a pan-Canadian action plan with many routes to the shared destination of elder abuse prevention. The roadmap has five sections:
Look for these icons:
Find existing resources and initiatives that can support the recommended actions.
Look for the actions recommended for different roles and levels of engagement.
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