TORONTO, April 19 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is investing more than

$1.6 million over the next two years to combat elder abuse and neglect,

Minister Responsible for Seniors Jim Bradley announced today.

     Ontario's Elder Abuse Strategy, the first of its kind in Canada, focuses

on three priorities: co-ordination of community services, training for

front-line staff, and raising public awareness about this important issue. The

funding will go to the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

(ONPEA) to support its regional elder abuse consultants for another two years.

The consultants have helped support more than 50 elder abuse networks or

coordinating committees across the province.

     "Our government will not tolerate the abuse or neglect of seniors," said

Bradley. "That is why we are working with community partners to intervene,

prevent and combat this growing problem."

     The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS), ONPEA Abuse and the Ministry of

the Attorney General joined forces five years ago to initiate the province's

Elder Abuse Strategy.

     "Victims of elder abuse often feel isolated and may not be aware of the

services available to them," said Attorney General Michael Bryant. "Our goal

is to ensure that Ontario's agencies work together to end elder abuse at the

community level."

     According to experts in the field, elder abuse has many forms including

financial, physical and verbal abuse, and neglect of older persons.

     ONPEA estimates that between 65,000 and 130,000 Ontario seniors suffer

some form of elder abuse.

     "We share a mutual concern with government that the abuse of seniors can

and must be prevented," said Bill Ryan, ONPEA Chair. "We're pleased they are

working with us to help improve the quality of life for Ontario seniors."

     Earlier this month, the McGuinty government announced grants totaling

$453,000 for 55 community organizations across the province to support local

service coordination and client intervention initiatives.

     "Seniors deserve to live in safety and with dignity," said Bradley. "They

have worked hard all their lives and should have access to the support and

services to which they are entitled."

     Other McGuinty government initiatives to support Ontario's aging

population include:

     -   Expanding the award-winning www.seniorsinfo.ca website to provide

         one-stop access to programs and services for seniors living in

         smaller municipalities across the province

     -   Enhancing the Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credits for seniors once

         again in 2007; this will result in $97 million in property tax relief

         this year for eligible seniors

     -   Ending mandatory retirement

     -   Implementing Ontario's Wait-Time Strategy that has resulted in a

         41 per cent reduction in wait times for cataract surgery; a 30 per

         cent reduction for knee replacements; and a 16 per cent reduction for

         cancer surgery.

     Disponible en français

                             www.OntarioSeniors.ca