Leading the Way - The Work Continues Presentation on the NWT Seniors’ Society Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013 Baker Community Centre, Yellowknife, NT November 8 & 9, 2011
NWT Seniors’ Society: Who Are We? Incorporated under the Societies Act as a non- profit organization in March 1983 Society Board Representation is from Fort Smith; Fort Resolution; Hay River; Yellowknife; Inuvik; Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Providence & Fort Good Hope Seeks to advance its vision, mission and mandate on behalf of elders and seniors throughout the North.
Vision, Mission and Mandate Vision: All Seniors are valued and respected by the community Mission: Ensure Seniors have dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security within the community Mandate: Dedicated to promoting the independence and wellbeing of older citizens through the provision of programs and services in partnership with responsible government departments and other organizations.
Guiding Principles In its work, the Society is guided by the principles as outlined in the National Framework on Aging: Dignity – being treated with respect, regardless of the situation, giving a sense of self-esteem Independence – being in control of one’s life Participation – being involved, staying active & taking part Fairness – having needs considered equally with others Security – having adequate income in a safe and supportive environment
Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013 Goals Support more seniors/elders living independently in their 1. own homes Maintain the existing level of health benefits available to 2. seniors in the NWT Encourage more seniors/elders to live active, healthy 3. lifestyles Encourage and support community based elders/seniors 4. groups 5. Enhance the capacity of the NWT Seniors’ Society Eliminate elder abuse in the NWT 6. None of these can be viewed in isolation ; all are interconnected – progress in one area will have a positive impact on all others.
1. Support more seniors living independently in their own homes Progress/action to date: Seniors’ Information Highway in June & September 2011 – Involved NWTHC to have display table and make presentations At workshops in communities (Hay River & Ft Simpson) invited local Housing Authority representatives to participate Met with Shelter Executive Directors to advocate on behalf of vulnerable older adults who are victims of violence & abuse Calls about Housing issues on 1-800 line – advocating on behalf of individual seniors/elders Involvement with YK Homelessness Coalition & Anti-Poverty Coalition Participation at & Input to NWTHC Shelter Policy at 1-day workshop at Baker Community Centre, YK Make recommendations to NWTHC on seniors housing Issues
2. Maintain the existing level of health benefits available to seniors in the NWT Progress/Action to date: Advocates on behalf of Seniors/Elders with DH&SS and Health Authorities Advocate to maintain levels of Health Benefits for Seniors Petitioned GNWT about its plan to erode supplementary health benefits for Seniors (Over 3000 signatures from across the NWT in February 2009) Elders Parliament 2010 – raised the issue of seniors health benefits Sent Email to all MLA’S in October 2011 asking them about their position on seniors health benefits. Committed to continue to work together with other concerned groups and organizations to address this issue
3. Encourage more seniors/elders to live active, healthy lifestyles Progress/Action to Date: Partnership with NWT Recreation & Parks Association and the Dene Nation – Elders in Motion - many elders/seniors in some communities participate in this program Seniors groups involved in Canada 55 + Games every two years The annual South Mackenzie Friendship Games in Fort Smith draws Seniors from across the NWT - funding from Sports North and community fund raising Partnership with ECE on Youth and Seniors Literacy Events projects often involves youth and seniors in physical activities DHSS is also a partner in its various health promotion activities to encourage older adults to get out and be active
4. Encourage and support community based elders/seniors groups Progress/Action to Date: Part time staff person to meet with community groups interested in forming seniors/elders groups or societies (Enterprise, Fort Simpson) Invitation from other communities continue to come in to Society Provides information to seniors/elders community groups on potential funding sources Society participates on the HRSDC New Horizons for Seniors Regional Funding Review Committee Promote the formation of seniors/elders groups & societies at Society sponsored Information Highways, at the Society’s AGM, during community workshops and meetings, etc
5. Enhance the capacity of the NWT Seniors’ Society Progress/Action to date: Reconstructed and updated Society’s website in May 2011 – www.nwtseniorssociety.ca Developed a repository of information on seniors issues – current focus is on preventing abuse of older adults Partnering with First Nation and Inuit organizations on various activities (Building Networks Project, Elders in Motion, WEAAD) Regular communication with various Federal, Provincial and Territorial departments and agencies on issues relevant to older adults
6. Eliminate elder abuse in the NWT Progress to Date: As already stated, action and progress on all five of the foregoing goals will have a positive impact on the prevention of elder abuse So, what have we been doing specifically in this area? The Society has a history of involvement in the issue of preventing abuse of older adults (PSA’S on elder abuse during the 1990’s; Taking Action on Elder Abuse Report 2001; A Plan for Action – Respect Our Elders - Stop the Abuse 2004; Bridges Between the Generations Report 2005) Declared June , 2011 as NWT Elder Abuse Awareness Week Active member of Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) Connecting with provincial networks to prevent elder abuse – attending conference, workshops, etc. Major Push in May 2010: Initiated the Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Elder Abuse Project
Making Connections - Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults
Making Connections - Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults Three Phase Project: Phase I: Research & Information Gathering – May to October 2010 Phase II: NWT-Wide Symposium - November 30 – December 1, 2010 Phase III: Development of an Action Plan to Prevent the Abuse of Older Adults in the NWT Repository of Information on Elder Abuse available on NWT Seniors’ Society’s Website Development of a Framework for Action Document We’re now into the next steps of Phase III and the reason for this workshop today and tomorrow.
A Framework for Action Communication 1. Education and Awareness 2. Prevention 3. Training 4. Networks 5. Legislation, Policies and Approaches 6. Funding 7. Two other areas we hope to address are: Advocacy Identifying and Addressing Root Causes
That’s All Folks!!
Who are the Older Adults of the NWT? A Demographic Profile Source: NWT Bureau of Statistics 2009 Stats Total population - 43,439 60+ age group – 3,828 Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the NWT population – will double by 2024 – 60+ - 8,177 Older population are migrating slowly to larger centers, especially Yellowknife 33% 28% live in regional centers of Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik, and 40% live in the remaining 29 small communities
Demographic Profile -Continued Older adults in the NWT do not live as long as older adults in the rest of Canada Women generally have a longer life expectancy than males, and females of non- Aboriginal descent live longer than those of Aboriginal descent Approximately 44% of older adults had a personal income less than $25,000/year.
NWT Population Projections, by Age, 2009 - 2029 2009 2014 2019 2024 2029 NWT 43,439 44,988 46,357 47,376 48,104 0 - 4 3,352 3,654 3,712 3,605 3,474 5 - 14 6,092 6,032 6,431 6,729 6,710 15 - 24 7,234 6,978 6,026 5,998 6,425 25 - 44 13,900 14,139 14,941 14,876 14,369 45 - 59 9,033 8,469 8,469 7,991 8,291 60+ 3,828 5,322 6,778 8,177 8,835
Programs and Activities Elder Abuse Workshops since 1995 Seniors’ Information Line since 1995 Seniors’ Advisory Council since 1995 Establishment of NWT Prevention of Elder Abuse Committee beginning in 1999-2000 Seniors’ Action Plan 2001 -2003 Canada Senior Games – 2004, 2006, and 2008 Released report entitled, A Plan for Action: Respect Our Elders – Stop the Abuse --2004
Programs & Activities -Continued Report on Youth & Elders Forum, Bridges Between the Generations Conference, N’dilo, November 2005 Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Older Adults, proclaimed September, 2006 Arctic Ambassador Program since 2008, operating in three communities beginning in 2011 Community Outreach Mini-Workshops since 2009 Senior Citizens’ Week and Grandparents’ Day Youth and Seniors Literacy Funding Projects since 2009
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