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Each month, EAPO recognizes a number of important dates, each one dedicated to bringing awareness to specific issues affecting older populations.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching (Feb 14th) , EAPO is cautioning older adults to be aware of the growing number of romance scams targeting seniors. We invite all our subscribers and followers to learn more about how perpetrators are preying on the loneliness of seniors, to exploit their assets. We encourage you to explore our many resources and learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from online scams.
* February is Black History Month, honoring the valued contributions of Black communities and encouraging us all to learn about, reflect and advocate for inclusivity and equity.
* Feb 11th, is 211 DAY. 211 now a Canada-wide Information and Referral service, is a 3-digit helpline that readily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need.
* Feb 26th is Pink Shirt Day addressing the bullying of older adults and encouraging us to foster kindness and respect towards seniors, to create safe communities.
📢 Our podcast, "Aging Vibrantly: Conversations to Empower Seniors", continues to bring you insightful discussions on aging, elder abuse prevention, and living with dignity. Tune in to "Aging Vibrantly" on iTunes , Spotify or Youtube to listen to upcoming episodes.
Many community partners are shifting their subscriptions from 'X' to a new platform called Bluesky! EAPO is excited to announce that we are now on this new platform and invite you to subscribe and follow us for more updates, resources and important upcoming presentations on Elder Abuse Prevention here.
Marta C Hajek
CEO, Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
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👚 Pink Shirt Day : Standing Against Bullying of Seniors | |
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Bullying isn’t just a concern for children and youth—it also affects older adults in various settings, including long-term care homes, community spaces, and even within families. Senior bullying can take many forms, from verbal abuse and social exclusion to financial control and intimidation, leading to emotional distress, isolation, and reduced quality of life.
This Pink Shirt Day, let’s raise awareness and take action to create safer, more inclusive environments for seniors.
How You Can Help:
🔹 Encourage open conversations–Listen & support seniors who experience bullying
🔹 Promote kindness & respect – A small action can have a big impact
🔹 Speak up – If you see bullying, intervene or seek support
🔹 Educate yourself & others – Awareness is the first step toward change
Wear pink 👚 on February 26 to stand up for respect and inclusion!
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Join us to hear the “lessons” we have learned so far during the implementation and evaluation of the Senior’s Anti-bullying Project and what initiatives are coming up in the project’s future.
An overview of the Solutions: Everybody’s Business Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit
will be provided, how it is being used in community settings as well as updates and additions being made to the toolkit based on engagement and input from seniors.
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💖 Love & Safety: Protecting Seniors from
Romance Scams this February 💖
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With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is in the air—but so are scams targeting seniors through online dating and romance fraud. Romance scams and catfishing are some of the most financially and emotionally devastating forms of fraud, preying on trust and vulnerability.
💡 Did you know? Scammers often create fake identities, build emotional connections, and then manipulate victims into sending money or personal information.
Knowledge is the best defence against scams. Explore EAPO's resources below to learn how to identify and avoid online romance scams targeting seniors.
| | Romance scam fraudsters use dating and social networking sites to contact their victims. This Infographic will help seniors recognize the red flags and how to protect themselves from Romance Scams. | |  | |
Take this quick quiz to see how well you can recognize the signs of Romance Scams & Catfishing!
What You’ll Learn:
🔹 Tactics Used by Romance Scammers – Discover how scammers build trust, recognize key warning signs, and understand the motives behind romance scams.
🔹 Understanding Catfishing – Learn why people create fake identities, how to spot a catfish, and what steps to take if you suspect deception
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🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODES
Aging Vibrantly: Conversations to Empower Seniors
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Be sure to listen to New Episodes on EAPO's Podcast, Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors, where we help amplify the voices of seniors, who share their expertise and wisdom, towards enhancing our understanding of aging issues and ways to live safe, fulfilling lives with respect and dignity.
Check our all of our podcast episodes on iTunes , Spotify or Youtube or where ever you listen to your podcasts!
Funded by the Government of Canada, through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
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In Episode 3, our guest Margaret MacPherson, speaks about having Supportive Conversations with older adults, in your family or community, who's safety and well-being are causing you concern.
Listen to learn about “SNCit”, a three step conversation framework that informs and empowers us, to have these supportive conversations and how to overcome hesitations in asking questions or helping someone when they do not want help.
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In Episode 4, our guest Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, engages with us in a lighthearted, yet serious discussion on Power of Attorney for Property: Best Practices and Practical Considerations.
People often think they don’t need to have a Power of Attorney (PoA) for Property, but in fact everyone should consider having one, especially when they are still capable of expressing their wishes.
Tune in to learn the facts about PoA!
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Dans l’épisode 5, nos invitées, Me Jaëlle Bain, est une avocate bilingue du Centre d’information juridique de l’Ontario et Me Kayla Cardinal Lafrance, est une avocate bilingue du Centre d’information juridique de l’Ontario discutent Procuration-Considérations pratiques - de ce qu’est une procuration, de ce que vous devez savoir pour en choisir une, des rôles, responsabilités et obligations, des protections que vous pouvez mettre en place pour vous protéger et des options à considérer si l’agent désigné n’agit pas dans votre meilleur intérêt. | | | |
Join Theatre of the Beatin partnership with EAPOforACTively Preventing Elder Abuse, an interactive online workshop that empowers participants to recognize and respond to elder abuse through the power of theatre and storytelling.
In these engaging workshops:
✅ Experience realistic scenarios performed by professional actors
✅ Learn practical strategies for responding to situations of potential harm
✅ Participate in guided discussions and interactive activities
✅ Choose your comfort level: observe and discuss, or try role-playing responses
✅ Connect with elder abuse prevention professionals who can answer your questions
Space is limited to 50 participants per session, for the same content, so Register Today!
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⏰ February 25 | 1pm - 3 pm (ET) | |
⏰ February 27 | 1pm - 3 pm (ET) | |
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Equifax: Protecting and Restoring your Identity and Credit
March 4 | 1pm - 2:30 pm (ET)
EAPO is partnering with Equifax to provide you with an informative discussion on Protecting and Restoring your Identity and Credit.
We will address questions such as:
✅ What is credit?
✅ What is a credit bureau?
✅ How do credit scores work?
✅ What are my rights as a consumer?
✅ How long can my credit history affect my credit scores?
✅ What should I do to help prevent identity theft and deal with potential fraud?
Learn more here
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EAPO is once again co-hosting a series of webinars with the Ontario Ministry of Finance, to learn about making the most of one's tax returns.
Register in advance to reserve your spot!
Speaker : Jocelyn Lalonde. Senior Program Advisory Specialist, Ministry of Finance
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From a Maze to Amazing – Understanding Ontario’s Personal Income Tax, Credits and Benefits
⏰ March 5 | 1pm - 2pm (ET)
What you will learn:
- Why you should file a tax return even if you don’t owe tax.
- How to complete & file a tax return.
- Various tax credits and benefits you can claim.
- How to adjust a tax return if you forgot to claim something.
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Ontario’s Credits, Benefits and Supports for Seniors with Lower Income
⏰ March 12 | 1pm - 2pm (ET)
What you will learn:
- How to apply to Ontario and federal personal income tax credits and benefits.Online tools designed to help you find information about credits, benefits, and programs
- How to stay up to date.
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Discover Ontario’s Medical Expense and Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit
⏰ March 19 | 1pm - 2pm (ET)
What you will learn:
- Who can claim each credit.
- How to calculate each credit.
- Examples of expenses that can or cannot be claimed.
- Additional resources that can increase your knowledge on this important topic.
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Introduction to Ontario’s Estate Administration Tax
⏰ March 26 | 1pm - 2pm (ET)
What you will learn:
- Whether Estate Administration Tax could be payable on the value of your estate.
- What assets to include and exclude in the value of the estate.
- How to file an Estate Information Return.
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Older Adult Risk Assessment Training 2025 | |
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Who should attend..
This course is intended for service providers supporting and working with older adults, including those in health and social service agencies, mental health, mediation, law enforcement, criminal justice, victim services, shelters/housing, paramedics...
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Older Adult Risk Assessment Training
Join the over 200 providers already trained, over the past 2 years, to learn about assessing risk of mistreatment of older adults.
Dr. Storey (author of HOPE), returns once again to facilitate an interactive online training course on:
March 3 & 5, 2025 9 AM - 12 PM & March 6, 2025 9 AM - 1 PM (ET)
Learn the necessary skills, to apply tools for assessing risk, in older adults and the perpetrators, while building capacity for response and intervention in incidents of abuse.
ONLY 10 spots remain - Register today
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Brain-healthy tips to reduce your risk of dementia
🧠 Take Care of Your Brain: Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Your brain is the key to your well-being, so let’s keep it sharp and healthy! While some risk factors for dementia, like age and genetics, are out of your control, you can learn about simple habits that can make a big difference.
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February is Black History Month
✨ Each February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2025 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.”
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What every older Canadian should know about: Financial planning
Making a financial plan is a way to take charge of your financial future. Financial planning is for everyone and as you get older and face changes such as retirement, it is important for you to have as much information as you can about your financial future.
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🌟 New EAPO Quiz 💡 :
Senior Financial Abuse – Can You Spot the Warning Signs?
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🌟 New Quiz: Senior Financial Abuse – Can You Spot the Warning Signs? 🌟
Financial abuse is one of the most common yet overlooked forms of elder abuse. Whether it's scams, undue influence, or financial exploitation by someone trusted, it’s important to recognize the signs.
💡 Take our quick quiz to test your knowledge and learn how to protect seniors from financial harm.
What you'll learn:
✅ Common scams and tactics used to exploit seniors
✅ Subtle warning signs of financial abuse
✅ Steps to protect seniors from fraud and financial exploitation
👉 Empower yourself with knowledge and help protect our seniors
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NEW Reports and Resources | |
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OPP has launched a new Victim Portal and website to enhance support for individuals impacted by fraud cases under its investigation.
The secure and user-friendly Victim Portal provides fraud victims with streamlined access to case updates, communication with victim liaisons, and information about their rights and available resources. In addition to the portal, the updated website offers resources on fraud prevention, how to report fraud, victims’ rights, and the criminal justice system.
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The ICOPE guidance for person-centred assessment and pathways in primary care (ICOPE Handbook) helps community health and care workers put the recommendations outlined in the ICOPE Guidelines into practice. The Handbook assists with setting person-centred goals, screening for loss in a range of domains of intrinsic capacity and assessing health and social care needs to develop a personalised care plan.
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Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey
The NIA's published findings of its 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey, sheds light on the evolving realities of ageing in Canada, offering critical insights into the social well-being, financial security, and health of older adults.
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There's No Place Like Home: Why Canada Must Prioritize Small Care Home Models in its Provision of Long-Term Care
The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) launched its latest report calling for the urgent prioritization of small care home models in the future delivery of long-term care services across Canada.
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The Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) has released new clinical guidelines on anxiety to enhance the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in older adults. These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and individuals experiencing anxiety.
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Season 6, Episode 73 : You DO matter! Exploring the impact of mattering in caregiving!
Caregivers play a vital role, but their own well-being is just as important. In this episode, Dr. Gordon Flett explores the power of mattering—feeling valued and significant—and how it impacts caregivers' resilience and mental health.
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The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has issued a bulletin on Fixed Income Investment Fraud, warning about a scam where fraudsters impersonate well-known financial institutions and insurance companies to offer fraudulent Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs) and savings bonds with higher-than-normal returns.
Key Takeaways from the Bulletin:
- Fraudsters spoof legitimate company names to appear credible.
- Victims often encounter these scams through "investment finder" websites or unsolicited offers.
- Scammers call investors directly, claiming to be from a legitimate company.
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Issue 45 of the GBV Learning Network Newsletter focuses on the often-overlooked connection between gender-based violence (GBV) and financial abuse. Financial abuse is a powerful tool of control, limiting a survivor’s ability to leave an abusive relationship by restricting access to money, creating coerced debt, sabotaging employment, or withholding financial resources.
Survivors often struggle with rebuilding their financial stability after leaving an abusive relationship. This newsletter provides insights into the barriers they face and offers solutions for financial empowerment.
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This course is offered by Western Continuing Studies at Western University, in collaboration with (CREVAWC). It is part of the Certificate in Gender-Based Violence Practice Skills program, designed to equip professionals with foundational knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to intimate partner violence (IPV).The course focuses on trauma-and violence-informed practice, decolonizing approaches, and community-based responses. | |
Upcoming Webinars & Conferences | |
🚀 We are Now on Bluesky! 🌟
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Exciting news! EAPO has now expanded our social media engagement, to include Bluesky Social. Join us there to learn about important events and find information about Elder Abuse Prevention.
🔗 Follow us on Bluesky here
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Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario | www.eapon.ca
416-916-6728 | Toll-Free: 1-833-916-6728
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