With the province now moving toward what everyone is hoping will be the final stages of the COVID-19 crisis, educators are already at work on ensuing that the mental well-being of Alberta’s young people is supported post-pandemic.
School boards across the province, including in this region, have plans in place to make the transition back to in-person education as seamless as possible and to help students deal with any lingering impacts of the months of isolation and separation caused by the pandemic.
While helping Alberta’s young people is in everyone’s best interest, it is vitally important that another demographic deeply impacted by the pandemic also receives support going forward.
Seniors have probably been the group most affected by COVID-19, not only in terms of lives lost and hospitalizations, but also in terms of having the crisis disrupt their day-to-day lives.
Sadly, since the crisis began more than a year ago, police have been reporting many instances of elderly abuse in Alberta and in other provinces as well.
Last week the provincial government announced new supports to prevent elder abuse and to support community organizations that are helping make that happen.
“Elder abuse is a complex issue that requires a coordinated, collaborative response,” said Shantel Ottenbreit, chair of the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council. “Through case management funding, we can support the great work already going on in communities and ensure response services are available for seniors experiencing elder abuse.”
Seniors Minister Josephine Pon added: “Elder abuse is not acceptable, for anyone, and in any form.”
As well as providing $750,000 to the council, the province is also planning to undertake an engagement with stakeholders aimed at updating elder abuse responses through “better understanding, recognition and prevention at the community level.”
As with Alberta’s young people, the COVID crisis has had many negative impacts on the province’s senior population. As such, this new funding and plans for stakeholder cooperation and engagement are important and much-needed steps.
Dan Singleton is an editor with The Albertan.
