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Caring and trained Call 519.767.4445 or
toll free at 1.866.767.4445 |
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Contact SOS Seniors At Risk Seniors and the community working together
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About SOS Seniors Offering Support is a project of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association, in collaboration with the many senior serving agencies and organizations of Guelph and Wellington County and the Wellington Seniors Service Network. . Background The number of Canadians aged 65 years and over will more than double between now and the year 2031, when almost 1 in 4 citizens or at least 7.5 million Canadians will be 65 years of age or over. According to the Canadian Aging Research Network, one in three Canadians will be over 50 by the end of the century. In addition, the elderly population itself is getting older. The fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the over 85 age group. This anticipated shift in demographics clearly demands new community initiatives to address the concerns, issues and crimes that affect our seniors. Consider: "The abuse and neglect of older adults is not a new problem. Although present for many years in our society, it has existed in relative silence, denial and isolation. Greater acknowledgement and interest has been generated over the past few years and now communities are faced with the task of responding to the issue". Guelph and Wellington County has been quick to respond with a truly collaborative effort. In April of 2000 local community stakeholders received funding to address the problem of elder abuse within the city of Guelph, and Wellington and Dufferin Counties. Since that time local health/social service providers, seniors and the police have worked together to develop a coordinated community response to the mistreatment, exploitation, abuse and neglect of our older adults. Over time, this effort has resulted in greater communication and collaboration across the service spectrum. In addition, shared commitment to addressing this problem has resulted in powerful and effective partnerships. In January 2002, the Guelph/Wellington Seniors Association established a partnership with the Wellington Dufferin Seniors Services Committee. The Association and Services Committee brought local seniors and service providers together to focus on reaching older adults in our communities, bridging the gap between the senior in the community and the services in place to provide professional assistance. As a result of this collaboration, these partners launched SOS –Seniors Offering Support. With the recent changes in regional health boundaries, currently SOS runs solely in Guelph and Wellington County. While focusing on community education and the continued collaboration across the professional service network, SOS’s most tangible product has been the senior peer telephone support program. It is hoped that this peer program will encourage older adults to share their situations, reach out for assistance and empower them to find solutions for themselves.
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