Seniors Safety Program
The
Bridgewater Police Service believes that seniors are an integral part of our
community, entitled to live in dignity and security, free of exploitation
and abuse. While many seniors are active members of society, there are
those that are vulnerable to crime and abuse because of poor health, low
literacy, lack of independence, or age-related disabilities.
The government of Nova Scotia’s departments of Seniors and Justice have provided funding to numerous communities, including Bridgewater, for Seniors Safety programs. In March 2009, Beth George, the new Seniors Safety Coordinator, was hired to implement a program for our town.
The goals of the Bridgewater Seniors Safety program are:
· To reduce the fear of crime so seniors feel safe in their own homes and communities
· To educate seniors about personal safety including elder abuse, falls prevention, safe banking, fraud, internet safety, and home security
· To promote independence by giving seniors the information and resources they need to remain in their own homes
· To provide opportunities for seniors to discuss issues important to them
· To advocate for seniors’ needs in the larger community, particularly amongst businesses and service agencies
· To improve the quality of life for seniors
We will achieve these goals by talking with seniors in their homes, through the churches and social clubs, community organizations, and senior residences. We will also learn more about safety issues of concern to seniors by conducting a survey, which will provide us baseline information about seniors’ fear of crime, the safety issues that concern them the most, and the way they would like the police service to communicate with them.
Please contact Beth George at (902) 543-3567 or bgeorge@bridgewater.ca for information about any of our programs.
Our Programs:
VIAL of Life – The Vial of Life program helps emergency personnel quickly learn important medical facts in times of crisis. A participant’s name, address, family doctor and health card number, along with emergency contacts, and list of medications are stored in a large plastic vial in the refrigerator door. Ambulance, Police and Fire departments are trained to look for the Vial of Life Sticker on refrigerator door. This symbol indicates that vital information is available to assist them to immediately begin treatment. Knowing what medications or chronic medical conditions may be present is important to paramedics. This information eliminates a number of possible treatments and may result in valuable life saving time.
The Vial of Life program is sponsored by Bridgewater Pharmasave, Lighthouse Publishing, and Bridgewater Police Service.
Safety Check-in program – This free program is designed to provide daily telephone contact for housebound individuals who live alone. Volunteers recruited through the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), telephone participants every day between 9:00 a.m. and noon. If after 15 rings the participant does not answer their telephone, the volunteer calls a designated contact name to go and check on the participant. If the contact is unavailable, an appropriate emergency service will respond. The program is available seven days a week.
The Safety Check-in program is sponsored by the VON of Lunenburg County, RCMP Lunenburg County, and Bridgewater Police Service.
Crime Prevention Presentations – The Seniors Safety Coordinator offers free presentations to seniors groups on various topics including personal safety, fraud and scam awareness, internet safety, elder abuse, and home safety.
Home Visits – An integral part of the Seniors Safety program is visiting with seniors in their residences to talk to them about their personal safety concerns. If issues arise that can’t be addressed by the coordinator, we will make referrals to the appropriate service.
Seniors Police Academy – The Senior Citizens Police Academy is designed to give seniors an opportunity to learn hands-on about crime prevention and safety in their homes and communities. Cadets learn in a fun, workshop style environment, and take their new skills back to their homes and communities. Workshop facilitators learn what seniors need to feel safe in the community. Topics covered during this six-week program include self-defense, drug safety & drug abuse, fraud prevention, fire safety, crime prevention, and elder abuse. Other areas of interest are added as required.
The Seniors Police Academy is a partnership between RCMP Lunenburg County, the VON, and Bridgewater Police Service.
Senior Friendly™ Program - A new program the police service would like to start in our community is the Senior Friendly™ Program. The program helps communities, businesses, and organizations recognize myths about aging, and provide a service that meets the needs of seniors. The goals of Senior Friendly are:
1. To create awareness of seniors’ needs and their power as consumers
2. Show service providers the value of changing attitudes and behaviours towards seniors
3. To enhance the service skills or businesses and agencies to improve the way they serve seniors
4. Improve the quality of life for seniors
If you would like to participate in the Senior Friendly™ program, or would like more information, please contact Beth George at (902) 543-3567 or bgeorge@bridgewater.ca