The Silent Treatment: Elder Abuse & Neglect

Workshop Intro:

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

This presentation is intended to educate and inform on the issues of Elder Abuse & Neglect.


Workshop Date:
23/04/2022

Workshop Location:
Online

Workshop Type:
scheduled

Workshop Duration:
2 Hrs

Facilitator:
Anne Thomas (Seniors Services Society) and Ken Kuhn (BC Association of Community Response Networks)

Description:

Adult abuse is a serious problem in Canada. Neighbours, friends & family members are often the first to see warning signs but often don’t know what to do about it.

The presentation will cover the following topics:

• What is Elder Abuses?
• Who are the abusers of Older Adults?
• Who is at Risk?
• Types of abuse
• Warning signs – How to recognize abuse
• Why Older Adults may be unlikely to ask for help
• What you can do when you suspect abuse of an older adult
• How to report Elder Abuse
• Roles & responsibilities in preventing & addressing Elder Abuse
• Services available for older adults who are abused & neglected

By working together we can create a community where everyone feels safe, respected, valued and supported.


Facilitators

Anne Thomas, Seniors Services Society

Ken Kuhn, BC Association of Community Response Networks, comes from a background of teaching business, computers, and accounting at many levels of education. Since his retirement he has kept busy in a volunteer capacity with several different organizations that match his values and goals of life.

One focus includes trying to build Age-Friendly Community policies and initiatives in the Tri-Cities by working with Councils and seniors' organizations in the Tri-Cities. Another focus Ken has, is trying to share information for seniors for Shingles, Pneumonia, and Influenza Vaccines to help keep them healthy and active. He has worked with pharmacists, seniors' care providers, and healthy authorities to offer workshops and information for seniors.

Ken was also the Tri-Cities CRN Coordinator prior to moving to the regional Mentor position for Fraser valley West. As CRN Coordinator he spear-headed a very successful Elder Abuse & Wellness forum with keynote speakers, 14 different workshops, and 32 different exhibitors to about 250 attendees. Ken has been the Tri-Cities Seniors Planning Network (TCSPN) Coordinator for the last three years and has hosted events such as Transportation Forums, Housing Forums, Election Forums, and Elder Abuse & Wellness Forums. His next project will be a Seniors' Health Care Forum. He has helped to "grow" the Network with a newsletter to members, writing Bylaws & Procedures, designing a TCSPN brochure, hosting effective seniors' forums, and more.

Ken is on a few seniors' advisory committees in the Tri-Cities working on an Organizing Against Racism & Hate Network, Tri-Cities Healthier Communities Partnership, as well as Raising the Profile project. Ken has also recently worked for both Elections BC and Elections Canada as a trainer and supervisor. And Ken always spends two weeks each year volunteering with Encounters with Canada (EWC) in Ottawa as a teacher/mentor with Grade 10-12 students from across Canada for programs such as Medicine & Health, Science & Technology, or Sports & Fitness.

Ken has held numerous Board offices for organizations such as Coquitlam Teachers' Association, BC Retired Teachers' Association, BC Business Education Association, BCTF PSA Council, Western Business Education Association, Canadian Association of Business Education Teachers, National Business Education Association, Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association, and Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association. Throughout his numerous connectors with these organizations, Ken has received several awards and recognition for his service and dedication.