We all deserve to feel safe and secure from physical, psychological and financial abuse. Programs and supports across Ontario’s systems of health, social, community, financial and justice are responsible for protecting us from these threats. Let’s find out how Ontario is protecting vulnerable seniors. Efforts protecting vulnerable seniors Ontario’s Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee acts as a public guardian for more than 13,500 mentally incapable adults and assists over 50,000 of Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens. To better safeguard our interests, the government promises to strengthen Ontario’s Office of the Public Guardian by improving its customer service provided through the creation of a contact centre, improved information management, and modernized service delivery. This will help them to support the anticipated increases to case volumes and complexities. It will also ensure that as demands increase with the aging population, they are able to continuously meet their service standards and legislative requirements. Improving prevention of elder abuse Elder abuse should never be tolerated. We all deserve to live safely and without fear in our homes and communities, which is why the government is planning on strengthening their work to prevent and respond to elder abuse. Actions include public education, service provider training, research, and improved community response, to better support abused older adults. This also includes dedicated efforts to address violence against older women as well as support to older people in Indigenous communities. Expansion of senior’s consumer protection services Unfortunately, seniors are a key target of scams. The Ontario government plans to launch a consumer protection program aimed at protecting our hard-earned money through education and awareness, as well as through enhanced assistance and intervention programs for those who have fallen victim to consumer threats or scams. If you’d like to report a safety or privacy-related incident, contact the Seniors Safety Line on 1-866-299-1011.

Looking for new opportunities to learn, have fun or meet new people? These days, seniors are living longer and more actively than they ever have before, with many remaining independent at home and in their communities, thanks to community engagement initiatives. Opportunities for seniors Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program has said it will be extending and enhancing its support to larger projects that will benefit more seniors in the long run. The program has, since being formed, funded over 1,300 projects in hundreds of communities that have helped more than 435,000 seniors to learn, volunteer and be socially involved in their communities. Read Impressive housing benefits for Toronto seniors. Engaging through the arts Did you know, engagement with the arts is known to reduce isolation, promote self-confidence and build a sense of community? Participating in arts activities and art therapy has proven to benefit both physical and mental illnesses associated with aging. The government has said it will create a fund to support art enrichment for seniors in community settings such Active Living Centres, retirement homes, hospitals, and long-term care homes, as well as the capacity for seniors to engage in arts organizations in their communities. Help with technology The Change the World program of Ontario is launching a special project that will link youth volunteers with seniors to help build their understanding and enable their use of technology, which in turn will help reduce social isolation. Social connectedness is vital to seniors’ health and well-being. Those with close connections and relationships tend to cope better with health conditions and experience fewer mental health issues than those without. Click here  to can find details on social activities and community engagement initiatives.