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Violence Prevention Initiative

Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older

PersonsTrain -the-Trainer

April 22, 2015

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Respect Aging• Education & training project

• Launched March 18, 2014 at Provincial Stakeholders Conference in St. John’s, NL

• Multi-year collaborative effort through VPI

• Led by Women’s Policy Office with Seniors and Aging Division, Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

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Goal

• Educate and train various target audiences in recognizing , preventingand intervening in violence against older persons

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Purpose• Help service providers and anyone else who works or lives with older persons to preventviolence against older persons

• To build safer communities where older persons have access to a supportive environment free of fear, exploitation and violence

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Development of materials• Input from committees:

• Education and Training Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Violence Against Older Persons

• Education and Training Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Violence Against Older Persons in Aboriginal Communities

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Training Manual ModulesRecognition Prevention Intervention

1. Types of violence 8. Risk factors and protective factors

13. The Violence PreventionContinuum: A holistic model

2. Indicators of violence 9. Root causes of violence 14. Intervention approaches, practices and supportive legislation

3. Violence against older personsin residential care facilities

10. Self-understanding forviolence prevention

15. Barriers and risk in reporting violence

4. Gender dynamics of violenceagainst older persons

11. Safety planning 16. Helpful resources

5. Diversity, ageism and violence 12. Self-care for violenceprevention helpers

6. Dynamics of family violence

7. Impact and effects of violenceagainst older persons

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Training Materials• Website – www.respectaging.ca

• Participant Manual

• Trainer’s Guide (1.5 hour sessions)

• Trainer’s Guide (3 hour sessions)

• PowerPoint presentations

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About the content

• Language of “violence against older persons”• Violence occurs across the lifespan• Ageism• Cultural perspective

• 3 areas of focus• Recognition • Prevention • Intervention

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About the content

• Stories from the Front Lines

• Definitions

• Links

• Activities and handouts

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Who should participate in training?• Anyone who interacts with older persons, and older person themselves

• Useful for:Caregiver for an older person Health care professional

Community leader Justice/law enforcement

Community worker Neighbour of an older person

Family member of an older person Older person

Financial service provider Service provider

Friend of an older person Volunteer

Government employee Youth

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Training• Trainers to offer training at least once per year

• Options: full program in 3.5 days, afternoon/morning session, lunch-n-learn, etc.

• Sessions offered must be tracked/reported to Nancy:

• Number of participants • Location (city/town)

• Module # completed • Participant evaluation forms

• Date session was completed • Trainer evaluation forms

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Module 11: Safety planning

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Safety planning…

• Is a process in which an older person and a trusted helper work together to ensure the older person’s safety in advance of any crisis.

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1. Prevention• Preventing future violence

2. Protection• Looking at ways to protect yourself during a violent incident

3. Notification• Planning ahead for ways to get help

4. Referral• Finding services that can help

5. Emotional support• Finding support and ways to become less isolated

Five strategies for safety planning

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Matthew’s Story

• Matthew, 65, has a developmental delay. He lived with his mother until she died last year. He then lived on his own in the family home with the help of neighbours. Recently, his younger brother Phil was released from jail and moved in with him. Phil has a drug problem. Phil has been taking all of Matthew’s money. He has been physically and emotionally abusive. Matthew now wanders the streets asking for money and food. The neighbours do not come by anymore because they are afraid of Phil.

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What you can do as a helper…

• Build rapport and listen actively

• Learn the fears of the older person and the possible result of threats

• Ask what the older person wants to do, and why

• Learn about the motivation of decisions

• Suggest options

• Brainstorm together

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What not to do as a helper…

• Tell the older person what to do

• Make referrals

• Impose your values

• Talk to the perpetrator

• Recommend risky strategies

• Blame the older person for not following the safety plan

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Planning for your own safetyBefore you go:

• Call ahead

• Cell phone

• Inform others

• Don’t go alone

• Know the area

• Carry only what you

need

During a visit:

• Do not enter if uneasy

• Ask driver to wait

• Give cell number to driver

• Stay near exit door

• Check for weapons

• Leave if threatened

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Nancy AllenProvincial Training Coordinator

Violence Prevention Initiative, Women’s Policy Office

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

nancyallen@gov.nl.ca

(709) 729-3867