CAPE BRETON, Nova Scotia, Canada (Cape Breton Post), September 6, 2007:
The important and ever-expanding role of seniors in today’s society was praised by the provincial minister of seniors at a meeting of the Cape Breton Council of Senior Citizens and Pensioners.
In her presentation to a large crowd at the Steelworkers and Pensioners Club in Sydney, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson spoke of supporting seniors independence in the home and the community.
“When you look around the room here today you definitely can see that a large portion of our volunteer base in many organizations was represented,” she said at the conclusion of the meeting.
“I think a lot of times we take our volunteer base for granted and that is something we really can’t do. We need to definitely involve our youth and our seniors together so that youth can fully appreciate how important it is to volunteer and give back to your community.”
The minister also addressed the issue of seniors independence and keeping them in their home and community as long as possible.
She encouraged a seniors helping seniors approach, approves of literacy programs and the search for better ways to support caregivers.
“Seniors are definitely more independent today. Seniors are living longer, statistics have shown that. They are healthier, they are active and keeping the mind and body active are definitely key ingredients to living longer.”
While the meeting took a mostly positive tone, the unpleasant issue of elder abuse was also discussed.
“We need to bring the topic matter to the forefront and we need to address it. Through the information and the launch of the elder abuse awareness campaign, our toll-free line that is available, we hope to start that process.”
The troubling subject concerns obvious physical abuse and abuse in its not so obvious forms.
“We see a lot of financial abuse and seniors being taken advantage of in that line and that is something seniors need to realize is a form of elder abuse.”
By Greg McNeil
The Cape Breton Post
