June 2024

AGE WITH ATTITUDE! The theme of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2024 is Age with Attitude. There is certainly no better way to describe many of the older adults we meet, whether in their paid or volunteer workplaces, as they travel, learn new languages, or attend events like the month-long events to mark WEAAD. Check the website and stories below for resources on how to promote WEAAD in your community. We're also offering a national webinar on June 12th to kick things off! One group of seniors we want to continue raising awareness for is 2SLGBTQI+ people whose wishes are often overlooked later in life. This month we explore what advance care planning looks like for these folks and present ways to ensure their care and end-of-life wishes are honoured and legally documented.  You asked and we listened! There is now a NEW form on the website to make it easier to share photos, stories, content submissions and offer feedback or ask questions. We look forward to hearing from you! Have a safe and happy summer!  

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Surendra Handa Celebrates 50th Anniversary with APNI Seniors Mr. Surendra Handa, APNI (South Asian) CRN Coordinator and co-founder, has been a part of the BC CRN community for two years. During that time he has organized and attended more events and social gatherings in his community than we can count. We caught up with the incomparable Mr. Handa to get the story of his recent 50th wedding anniversary celebration that he shared in a unique way – with his community seniors’ group! Read more

CRNs IN THE COMMUNITY

Accolades, Honours and Education May was a month blooming with community events and a few more of our Mentors and Coordinators were showered with honours and accolades. Even as our CRNs are busy preparing for our penultimate event of the year, there have been many awards and activities in the meantime. Read about highlights from around the province

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: WEAAD

WEAAD 2024: Prepare & Share  Join us this June 15th for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) to help create a national conversation around the prevention of abuse, neglect and self-neglect as well as the protection of the rights of older adults in our communities. Our 90+ community response networks (CRNs) are busy preparing for activities and events scheduled throughout the month to spread awareness and referral resources around the province.  Let’s spread the word together by sharing your events:   Share your upcoming scheduled event with us by emailing us or tagging us on Facebook: @BC Community Response Networks Take photos during your event and share via email, attach them to your reports, try our NEW form or tag us on Facebook Use this year’s hashtags to add your social posts to the global collection: #WEAAD2024, #BCCRNWEAAD2024, #AgeWithAttitude, #YourCityNameBC Learn more about WEAAD

Get Ready to Celebrate WEAAD 2024! The countdown has begun to prepare for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), June 15, 2024. WEAAD is BC CRN’s hallmark awareness and advocacy event, when we ask all British Columbians to stand up for the rights of older and vulnerable adults. Read our short summary of what WEAAD is, the significance of the iris and ideas on how to celebrate the day. Learn more

TECHNOLOGY TIPS

How to Share Photos from Mobile or Desktop Devices What’s the best way to send pictures to someone? Not sure how to add pictures to a social media post from your mobile or desktop device? We’ve put together a few quick tips on how to share images from a phone or computer to help you send images of your event directly in a social app or via email. Get tips

FEATURED STORIES

Advance Care Plans for 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors is Critical Advance care planning (ACP) is a well-considered plan expressing a person’s wishes in the event of an accident or illness where they are unable to guide or direct what happens to them next. Many people have told their partners or children what they’d like to see, but an ACP makes their wishes enforceable. The wishes of 2SLGBTQI+ seniors or people with critical illness are often overridden by biological family members who may have their own agendas or ideas of “what’s proper.” Here we provide tips for creating an ACP that will ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ people will receive services and treatment with respect and dignity. Read more

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS, STORIES & IDEAS We would love to hear from you! Use our new form to submit your event photos, stories, and ideas so we can share them with our BC CRN community. SUBMIT YOUR STORY >>>

UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s Not Right! Online Workshop June 4, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm PST  You are invited to join us for this dynamic online workshop. Learn how to recognize the warning signs of abuse among older adults and determine how to respond safely and supportively. True to life scenarios are explored to facilitate discussions and to build skills. Register

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) – National Webinar Event June 12, 2024 | 9:30 am - 11:00 am PST We are inviting individuals of all ages to join the National WEAAD Virtual event. We all have a role to play in protecting the rights of older people. There are a few easy ways you can participate in WEAAD, joining the movement to end elder abuse in Canada once and for all. No matter where you live in Canada, you can be part of this shared journey to create a safe and supportive society. Secure your seat now, as space is limited, and share widely with your networks! Register

We're interested in hearing from you! We welcome your feedback, story ideas, and photos for consideration in a future edition. Email us at info@bccrns.ca. View our archive. To subscribe, email info@bccrns.ca. 

BC CRN acknowledges the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia. For more on the BC CRN and our free programs, visit us at | bccrns.ca.

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