A new project at Norwell District Secondary School (NDSS) is bridging the generation gap by educating young students and older adults about issues relevant to both of them.
The initiative came through Sheli O’Connor, the Seniors At Risk system coordinator for Trellis Mental Health and Development Services, with funding from the Department of Justice Canada.
“I had applied for the funding,” she said. “I wanted to find a good way to address ageism and talk about the issues of elder abuse.”
She connected with NDSS teacher Alyssa Prouty, who teaches the grade 12 Issues in Human Growth and Development class.
Beginning in March, Prouty’s group of 16 students set to work on a research project looking into issues of elder abuse.
The research included the creation of a survey for the general public, focusing on issues of financial abuse against seniors.
Next, O’Connor contacted Helen Edwards, senior health service coordinator at the Senior’s Centre for Excellence, in Mapleton.
Edwards recruited ten willing seniors, representing communities throughout north Wellington to meet weekly with the students and discuss issues related to elder abuse.
“The older adults helped the students by distributing the surveys, which asked about awareness of financial abuse, and then helped to collect them,” Edwards explained.
In total, more than 70 surveys were returned. The results proved the students were headed in the right direction.
“Financial abuse is not age specific, but older populations seem to be more of a target,” O’Connor explained. “The students were surprised to learn that very few seniors are aware of the Canadian anti-fraud systems [the former PhoneBusters], so now we’re having someone come to speak to the community about this service,” Edwards said.
O’Connor believes much of the elder abuse seen in society today stems from negative stereotypes that exist around the aging population.
By connecting the grade 12 students with senior volunteers she has witnessed the opportunity to change minds and broaden perspectives.
“Just seeing the way the two groups have gelled and to hear the conversations between them … they are so inspiring,” O’Connor said. “By talking and laughing and sharing stories, it really helps to get rid of stereotypes. And when they see the success of what they’re doing together, it’s really empowering.”
Prouty agrees. “A lot of the student’s admitted they had recognized themselves stereotyping seniors,” she said. “Now both groups can recognize signs of elder abuse and also financial abuse,which I believe will pay off in time.”
It’s a two-way street. While the students gain a new perspective, Edwards said the seniors have also learned from the experience.
“What they’ve been working on together, with ageism, different types of fraud, it has been a really great experience,” said Edwards. “It’s been educational for the seniors who are getting a real education about fraud. The feedback has been really positive.”
The culmination of the student project involved the coordination of a community presentation to take place in conjunction with the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, April 22 to 28.
The Fraud Awareness Workshop, to be held on April 24, will include representatives from Wellington County OPP, Trellis and the Canadian Anti-Fraud centre.
The NDSS students will present their research results, coordinate the events of the day, while others will write and perform a short skit that will include several of the senior volunteers to bring awareness of financial abuse.
Participants can expect to learn tactics used by scam artists, find local supports for those who are dealing with issues of elder abuse, and tips for prevention.
The Fraud Awareness workshop is a free event held at the Palmerston United Church from 10am to 1pm. Lunch is included.
For more information or to register, call 519-638-1000.
