Position paper on abuse of older Manitobans
Manitobans experience discrimination and ageism in their everyday lives. The MSOS Advocacy Committee is charged with the job of identifying discrimination and developing position papers and strategies for the MSOS Board for approval. The position paper on abuse of older adults appearing below is the first in a series that will be printed in the MSOS Journal and posted on this website in coming months.
This position paper can be printed off and distributed but not altered.
MSOS Position Paper elder abuse-Jan. 2010
The Advocacy Committee is currently co-chaired by Harry Paine and Moira Horgan – Jones and meets monthly to consider issues. MSOS recognizes that some issues are addressed by other organizations and networks. MSOS works in concert with these entities to reduce and eliminate specific discrimination in areas such as housing, transportation etc.
What role can you play in this work?
- Become informed about issues by reading each MSOS position paper.
- Ask yourself, “Is this issue affecting me or someone I know in my community? Who else might want to take action on this?”
- Discuss the issues with others such as your city, town or municipal councilors, MLA, MP, senior-serving organizations or other service providers for seniors such as your doctor and pharmacist.
- You can copy this paper as an official position of MSOS and share it with others. But you cannot change the position in any way.
- Let the Advocacy Committee or your regional MSOS representative know of your work in this area.
If you have issues you would like your advocacy committee to consider please call 942-3147 ext 309 or 1-800-561-6767 or email: info@mnpaoa.ca. Ongoing advocacy work of MSOS
MSOS has a rich history of advocating on behalf of seniors. Along with our ongoing interventions with the Public Utilities Board we have entered into a variety of partnerships to address issues facing Manitoba seniors.
Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA)
- ALCOA-MB, a partnership of organizations and individuals having interest in the field of aging, encourages older Manitobans to maintain and enhance their well-being through a lifestyle that embraces daily physical activities.
- We are represented within ALCOA-MB and a few of our members are also on their Speakers Bureau. We make presentations to seniors groups where we are able to promote activities of ALCOA and MSOS.
Age Friendly Communities, Active Aging Research Alliance
- MSOS continues to partner with the provincial government and University of Manitoba (U of M) on the Age-Friendly Initiative that supports seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging. There are now 50 communities around the province that are participating in this initiative.
- In addition, the U of M continues to research the benefits and impact that these communities and this initiative is having on the lives of older adults. Our focus on both committees is related to marketing, dissemination of information and evaluation. We also look forward to the roll-out of the Age-Friendly Initiative in the City of Winnipeg.
Alzheimer Strategy Overview Committee
- Working under the umbrella of the Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias in Manitoba. In 2009, the focus was on carrying out the P.I.E.C.E.S. education training in personal care homes, and now we are working on ways to evaluate the training outcomes. We continue to look at staffing in personal care homes and the Aging in Place Strategy. In the near future, we plan to review and evaluate the original Alzheimer Strategy.
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS)
- MSOS Past-President Harry Paine continues to represent MSOS on the CCDS committee. One of the key highlights this year was a presentation he made in Ottawa on May 25 entitled “The relationship between liveable and inclusive communities for all people and focusing on visitable housing for seniors with disabilities. This group continues to research the commonality of seniors’ needs and needs of older persons with limited abilities.
Elder Abuse Prevention Conference Planning Committee
- MSOS co-chaired the 2008 Conference with Age and Opportunity that brought people together for the first-ever provincial conference to discuss topics related to Elder Abuse. The conference was a huge success and was attended by over 300 people.
- The committee is planning for the next conference on October 25 and 26, 2010.
Manitoba Committee of Seniors (MCOS)
- We are a member of MCOS, a coalition of persons and organizations that specifically work on seniors’ issues. MCOS reviews issues that are of concern to older adults, prepares possible solutions and presents them to various levels of administration and/or government.
Manitoba Senior Safety Council
- The Council is an informational sharing group that discusses safety concerns related to older adults, and programs and resources available to them.
Older Adult Abuse Prevention
- With links to provincial, federal and international networks the work on abuse prevention issues continues to take up a considerable amount of our resource efforts. We are involved in:
Residential Tenancies Branch
- Our advisory work with the Residential Tenancies Branch included completing the redefinition of legislation on assisted living and coming up with wording that was acceptable. The legislation went before the Legislature and received Royal Assent. Our next task will be to work on regulations that make the legislation workable.
Regulated Industries
- MSOS represents senior consumers’ interests at Public Utilities Board (PUB) hearings on rate changes to electricity, natural gas and auto insurance in Manitoba.
- We work as a coalition with the Consumers Association of Canada (CAC), Manitoba Division, and Winnipeg Harvest on these issues and are represented by legal counsel from the Public Interest Law Centre and D’arcy and Deacon Law firm.
Electricity
- The coalition, represented by Byron Williams, from the Public Law Interest Centre, was successful in knocking off $12 million from the proposed rate application that Manitoba Hydro was seeking for April 2009. Although rates still increased, we were successful in reducing the proposed rate.
Natural gas
- CAC/MSOS was represented by Kris Saxsberg, from D’arcy and Deacon Law firm, who successfully presented expert testimony resulting in Centra Gas changing their original rate application and reducing their requested rate increase amount by $5 million. The PUB also recommended in their order that they do more to market their energy efficiency programs. The potential rate increase was decreased by 1%.
- CAC/MSOS also argued that Centra could extend their furnace replacement program if they were to change the way they amortize. However, the PUB did not accept this argument
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)
- The coalition, again represented by the Public Interest Law Centre, sought a 1% or $7 to 8 million rate reduction which we were successful in achieving.
- In a separate hearing related to the Driver Safety Rating, MPI proposed a new system to reward good drivers and penalize bad drivers. MSOS/CAC/Winnipeg Harvest argued that MPI was not doing enough to reward the best drivers who have records of at least 15 years without an accident and demerits. While these savings will be phased in over the next few years, the best drivers are likely to receive additional discounts of as much as 5% off their vehicle insurance.
Payday lending
- Byron Williams from the Public Interest Law Centre presented before the Legislative Committee on behalf of the coalition. He argued that the PUB decision to reduce payday lending rates by 50% on average should be preserved when the provincial Cabinet meets to set a payday lending rate.
Right to Housing Coalition
- Kimberly Weihs started to represent MSOS on this coalition which is Winnipeg-based and made up of 120 individuals and 30 organizations working together to address the current housing crisis and the chronic need for social housing.
W.I.S.E. (Wisdom in Saving Energy) Seniors Helping Seniors Program
- MSOS continues its partnership with Manitoba Hydro to have trained senior volunteers conduct in-home visits to demonstrate to senior homeowners the benefits of having an energy efficient home. In 2009, volunteers visited over 400 homes, installing energy efficient devices and proving information on rebate and loan programs.
Advocacy is a vital and important part of the work we do at MSOS and we can always use more help. If you are dissatisfied with something or would like to participate in any of the above issues or have the some expertise that will help work out solutions, please call 942-3147.
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