Elder abuse topic of first SACPA session of season today

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs is back today.

This season’s opening topic is “How Widespread is Elder Abuse in Lethbridge?” and will feature speakers Rob Miyashiro, Joanne Blinco, Lavonn Mutch and Erin Vogt.

Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well-being of an older adult. Elder abuse can take several forms including financial, emotional, physical, sexual, medication and neglect, with more than one type of abuse often occurring at the same time.

Miyashiro is one of the founders of the Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network (LEARN), a collaboration of human services organizations that responds to and provides education, awareness and advocacy for everyone that may be affected by abuse.

The network consists of a full-time case manager, a part-time co-ordinator, a steering committee made up of representatives from Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge Police Service, Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, City of Lethbridge and representatives from 29 human support service agencies.

Blinco is a LEARN case manager, Mutch is a LEARN co-ordinator, and Vogt is the Co-ordinator of Support Programs for LSCO and part of LEARN.

The speakers will review what elder abuse may include and also detail several measures to deal with such abuse..

SACPA runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. today at the Royal Canadian Legion.