The Town of Okotoks Family and Community Support Services has received funding from the provincial government from the Taking Action Against Elder Abuse Co-ordinated Community Response Grant program.

Okotoks FCSS has received $50,000 towards helping address elder abuse through prevention strategies.

Debbie Posey, Community Wellness Manager, says this is the third year FCSS has received funding through the grant program, the money received this year will help put the a plan FCSS has developed into place.

"It's very exciting because it will allow us to transition our response model back into the community for sustainability. We've been able to hire a staff coordinator to pull together a steering committee, and create a response model, now once we get that rolled out we'll use the grant for next year to really have community ownership, and make sure we have a plan for sustainability for the response model."

Posey shares the response model developed involves public education as well as different levels of handbooks on elder abuse prevention for in home support workers, caregivers, and community members.

She adds the funding and response plan is very important, as elder abuse happens everywhere.

"It's a bit of complex issue because with elder abuse it's almost always a trusted family member who is abusing a senior, so there is a lot of reluctance on the part of the senior to talk about it, or to take action for themselves. We know that it happens, and we know that it is an issue in our community as it is in every community, so having some tools that community agencies can use to know how to support seniors is going to be extremely valuable."

The response model currently being developed will be regional and used throughout High River, Okotoks, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and the M.D. Of Foothills.

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