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About Seniors at Risk
Do you provide service to older adults living at risk in Guelph Wellington? Our goal is to help you:
A “senior at risk” is often an older adult whose situation is having a negative impact on their independence, personal well-being and overall quality of life. Their situation could be a result of their own challenges in caring for themselves or challenges resulting from their dependence on someone else.
Why Seniors at Risk?
This website explores the many facets of risk surrounding our aging population and how we can better manage, respond to and support our aging clients.
We have grouped what we consider to be the dimensions of vulnerability into four broad categories:
S
Suicide, Social and Substance
Although this section is broad with respect to each of the three sub-dimensions, consideration should be given to how each may impact one another. In this section we will explore depression, suicide, social isolation, marginalized identities, and how substance misuse can lead to increased risk and vulnerability.
A
Abuse and Neglect
In addition to the types of Elder Abuse, this section provides further insight into topics such as intimate partner violence, the importance of risk assessments, and navigating the justice sector.
F
Functional
This section reviews how changes in both physical and cognitive abilities can lead to challenges with self-neglect, falls, delirium, driving, wandering and the risks associated with polypharmacy.
E
Environmental
Access to safe, affordable and stable housing is a strong social determinant of health. This section explores the need for Long Term Care and the risks associated with unstable or inappropriate housing for older adults including additional challenges with hoarding and/or squalor.
of Guelph-Wellington residents are currently adults aged 65+. (stats Canada, 2016 census)
0
%
of all City of Guelph residents will be adults aged 55 years and older by 2031.
0
%
Support by Sector
One of the foundational principles of supporting older adults at risk is that risk is a shared responsibility of the community as a whole. This website was developed in partnership with a variety of sectors that support older adults in unique ways. This section will provide an overview of the many programs and services across sectors that may be helpful to you when determining your response as a service provider to the risks identified.
The sectors highlighted in this section include:
Justice
Home and Community
Health Care
Crisis
Social Service
Considerations
When determining your support plan as a service provider, consideration should be given to the impact of risk (severity and probability of harm) and the vulnerability of the older adult. This section will review some key considerations that should be a part of every risk assessment.
Privacy & Reporting
This section provides information on privacy legislation, defines ‘circle of care’ and reviews how a risk assessment of imminent harm can impact a health care provider’s response to support. It also covers what you might need to know about mandatory reporting.
Learn more
Consent & Capacity
This section explores why consent and capacity are important considerations when determining your plan of support. It highlights necessary legislation, defines Powers of Attorney and links to resources for capacity assessment. It also reviews why Advance Care Planning is so important.
Learn more
Interpretation Services
Select health system partners and providers now have access to free professional interpretation services for clients. These services are available to clients wherever they live in Guelph Wellington and are available in person or over the phone. Funding for this initiative is being provided by the Waterloo Wellington LHIN; and, services will be arranged through the KW Multicultural Centre in partnership with Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington and Access Alliance Language Services.
To access services, family physicians or clinicians will simply need to contact the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre at 519‑745‑2593 to arrange interpretation services for their patients.
