World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was developed and launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). Our Executive Director at that time, Alison Leaney, was invited to speak at the United Nations for the launch.

WEAAD activities are intended to bring greater recognition of abuse and neglect of older adults in British Columbia or wherever they live, and to highlight the need for prevention and community involvement in a response to the issue. We work to give abuse and neglect of seniors a relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the year and for years to come.

Below are some of the community events that BC Community Response Networks (BC CRNs) are doing to raise awareness on June 15th, 2020:

Beaver Valley	Bottle drive and WEAAD information table with promotional material.
Burnaby	A proclamation will be read at the Burnaby City Counsel meeting in June, proclaiming June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the city of Burnaby.
Castlegar	WEAAD packages will be included with delivered meals, 10 people doing chair yoga, 8 people journaling twice a week.
Chetwynd	The Chetwynd CRN is planning a virtual hug for WEAAD.
Chinese	WEAAD 2020 – CRN partners will put together a Quarantine Care Package to promote mental wellness of the isolated and lonely seniors.  The care packages include stress-relieving coloring set, inspirational booklet, wellness bingo, brainteasers, healthy snack, handwritten cards, and the Chinese CRN resources card.  A video will be produced to share encouraging songs, messages, and community resources.
Cowichan	Distributing WEAAD information, greeting cards and other swag to vulnerable adults during the month of June as part of the Covid-19 outreach response with their partners at Volunteer Cowichan Better at Home, Cowichan Seniors Foundation and Cowichan Family Caregivers Society.
Cranbrook	WEAAD Social Distancing Celebration is intended to bring greater recognition of abuse, neglect, and self neglect. A drive-by station will be set up on June 14 to distribute protective masks, cake, life kits and BC CRN promotional materials. Seniors who cannot get out to pick up masks can arrange for a drop off service the following week. Cake will also be delivered to those seniors in various Seniors homes.
Creston	Creston CRN will be inserting an ad in the local newspaper regarding how important raising awareness on adult abuse, neglect, and self-neglect is in the community.  Various videos and information will be posted on Creston’s CRN site.
Fort St. John	The City of Fort St. John declares June 15, 2020 WEAAD Day and is flying the flag. Better at Home will be having information for WEAAD at the Fort St. John Seniors Society.
Francophone	Participation in ‘Seniors Connect’ June 18 webinar event with INR presentation with RCMP support.
Golden	A hot dinner will be delivered to senior’s doorsteps by the caterer along with a group of volunteers. BC CRN promotional materials will also be given to reach recipient.  The CRN is hoping to reach at least 70 seniors.
Hope	Media and Food Bank – An article and announcement will be posted in the local newspaper for June 14.  Also, the Coordinator will be at the Food Bank each week in June to distribute promo materials and information on Adult Abuse.  A special CRN wrap will be printed and put on bottle of water to distribute.
Houston	Angels in the Community will honour front line healthcare providers who are supporting much needed health and wellness services to seniors in long term care facilities.  CRN will build awareness of WEAAD in the community. This project is also being held in Smithers.
Kamloops	WEAAD 2020 includes a local media to do a radio and print ad campaign.  The CRN will also have an information table full of BC CRN promotional material during their noon meal delivery and pick up.  Also, pens and bookmarks will be distributed to seniors through the Thompson Regional Library seniors outreach program during the month of June.
Kaslo	WEAAD information table in front of Market, information and contacts posted on all community bulletin boards and published locally.
Ladysmith	Distributing WEAAD information, greeting cards and other swag to vulnerable adults during the month of June as part of the Covid-19 outreach response with their partners at Volunteer Cowichan Better at Home, Cowichan Seniors Foundation and Cowichan Family Caregivers Society.
Kitimat	CRN wants to hand out Iris’s and send well wishes to people on June 15 outside of the local grocery store during senior’s time in recognition of WEAAD.
Marpole	WEAAD is always a celebration of community work.  This year the goal is the same, but the delivery is different due to COVID-19.  500 recyclable brown bags containing BC CRN information and a small gift will be distributed in the Marpole and surrounding areas leading up to June 15.   The WEAAD information will be promoted in May and June through partners newsletters and live webinar.
Mount Pleasant	Team of youth volunteers wearing purple for ‘We Grow Together’ project delivering purple coloured plants to 50-60 seniors in the community.
Mount Waddington	Designing and implementing an expanded Community Keeping in Touch Program to mitigate seniors isolation in Alert Bay, Sointula, Port Hardy, Port McNeill / Port Alice and several more rural and remote communities in the North Island.  The program is based on the existing Port Hardy program and the Oceanside Community Safety Volunteers KIT program and includes support from community policing and seniors volunteers from local communities.
Nanaimo – Rocky Point	Posting WEAAD posters on Facebook, holding a WEAAD / Pride Driveway Dinner event with a WEAAD / Pride table with handouts and BC CRN promo items.
Nanaimo – South	Are putting up two WEAAD flags at the fire hall along with a table (BCCRN table cloth) containing BCCRN information, swag and BC211 information on June 15th.
New Westminster	A press release and background information sheet on WEAAD has been circulated and shared on social media.
Nelson	Media release for WEAAD, information and contacts posted on all community bulletin boards and published locally.
North Okanagan	Connecting with the Schubert Center in Vernon to make 100 WEAAD information bags for each Senior receiving a meal.
North Shore	WEAAD Outreach – Distribution of rack cards and bookmarks will be distributed by community partner organizations to the seniors they serve. BC CRN education and outreach will be promoted on Facebook and Instagram.
North Shore	The Squamish Nation will be distributing 250 WEAAD promotional items to its Elders.
Coastal Coalition (Ucluelet to Tofino)	Created a 4-page pullout for their local papers that listed all of the Covid-19 changes to services for vulnerable adults.
Oceanside	Seniors Connection Project – Outreach to socially isolated seniors through local signage, participation in local gatherings and networking with existing partners.  Once identified, providing information and resources that empower individuals to age in place safely (free from abuse and neglect).  Homeless & Precariously Housed Covid-19 Response – distributing information about BC CRN with food and hygiene products.  Information is focused particularly on the risks of neglect and self-neglect.
Powell River	Ad in local magazine, radio ads, proclamations and presentation to City Council,  distribution of rack card, posts on  partners Facebook pages.
Prince George	A Distance Parade for WEAAD will be starting on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 2:00 pm starting at the CN Centre. The theme colour is purple and having a “sea or purple” drive through our city with messaging to end elder abuse will be an innovative and effective method to get the message out to the community!
Prince Rupert	A BBQ on the office grounds with a table for WEAAD promotional material will be set up. There will be a MC to talk about the day and everyone is encouraged to wear purple. A WEAAD banner will be hung along with purple balloons. The Mayor and City Council will declare June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and will make a proclamation. The Friendship House will plant a tree involving the Elders and a photo will be taken for the newspaper. WEAAD posters will be posted around town. IRIS cards will be included in the food packages that are being delivered to the elderly population around town.
Renfrew Collingwood	CRN will coordinate WEAAD gift packages to be delivered with weekly food delivery to Three Links Manor. CRN will provide welcome packages for 40 seniors moving into the new seniors housing at Oddfellows Building.
Revelstoke	Take Time for Seniors – A youth educational adult abuse video aims to educate youth around adult abuse and will tie into the intergenerational work that is currently being done in local schools.  The video will be launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Saanich	Create awareness of WEAAD through purchased promotion in a widely distributed local magazine and through articles in local community publications.
Salmo	Stream Keepers Project (Intergenerational) and WEAAD newsletter.
Salt Spring Island	A quarter page WEAAD ad will be posted in the local Driftwood paper giving information on what elder abuse is, who BC CRN is and what we do.  The paper will be circulated with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Sea to Sky	Members will be posting WEAAD messages on their social media networks.
Smithers	Angels in the Community will honour front line healthcare providers who are supporting much needed health and wellness services to seniors in long term care facilities.  CRN will build awareness of WEAAD in the community.
South Granville	1,000 newsletters will be distributed, a media release and social media posts will be supplied in both English and Spanish.  Volunteers who call 450+ isolated seniors will include a WEAAD dialogue.
Sparwood	On June 15, Strawberry Shortcakes, WEAAD rack cards, bookmarks, BC CRN promotional material will be delivered to 108 seniors housing facilities. The desserts will be catered by a Health Ministry approved restaurant. A quarter page coloured ad will be placed in the Free Press for the first 2 editions in June including their e-editions.
Sunshine Coast	WEAAD Virtual Event launching local anti-abuse Handbook with CRN and affiliates to promote education, action and awareness during COVID 19. Article and proclamations / photos with local government.
Surrey/White Rock	Will be hosting Senior’s Week Webinars.
Vancouver Downtown Eastside	Partnering with Grandview Woodlands with WEAAD flag and posters to be hung and reader board to announce WEAAD.
Vancouver Indigenous	World Elder Abuse Awareness Day online event on June 15 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm by the Pacific Association of First Nations. Presentations conducted by Canadian Center for Elder Law, Seniors First BC and BC Community Response Network.
Vancouver West End	Partnering with Seniors First BC on a webinar about elder abuse for our membership. Distributing BC CRN materials to all of our Life Unlimited grocery shopping and delivery service clients in the West End, Coal Harbour and Yaletown neighbourhoods.
Victoria	WEAAD information through print and electronic media will be disseminated to seniors and vulnerable adults across the region.  This strategy will access a potential 85,000 readers.  The WEAAD flag will be flown from the BC Legislature on June 15 and the Legislature will be lit by purple lights.
West Shore	WEAAD information through print and electronic media will be disseminated to seniors and vulnerable adults across the region.  This strategy will access a potential 85,000 readers.  The WEAAD flag will be flown from the BC Legislature on June 15 and the Legislature will be lit by purple lights.  This is a combined project with Victoria.
Public Awareness	Canada Place, BC Place, Science World, Vancouver City Hall and the Parliament Buildings in Victoria will be in purple lights on June 15th.