to the direct delivery of information to participants, the panel discussion format allows a sharing of ideas and perspective about elder abuse, its causes, signs, symptoms and actions to both address abusive situations and to protect against such situations from developing. Participants and partners also share information and highlight resources and services provided by civic government including Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services, Surrey Public Library resources such as reading aids, in home deliveries and educational programs, Surrey Fire Service home Inspection program (free smoke alarms) and discussion about how to become involved as a resident. i.e. The United Way supported Surrey Seniors’ Planning Table, and community centres advisory boards who each advocate on behalf of seniors for civic improvements to programs, services and the built environment, such as improved sidewalk designs and road signage. Transferability of the Focus on Seniors service model: The Focus on Seniors service model is transferable as an initiative to raise awareness about and provide resources to address elder abuse. The key to success will be having civic support from all levels and departments and then to include community partners and individuals to collectively develop and event that in both engaging and participatory for all and that reflect the needs and demographics of the community. Accountability to Community Citizens: By generating awareness about the issue of elder abuse and neglect, an expectation develops that abuse will not be tolerated and that services and resources will be available and accessible to help seniors age in a healthy and safe environment. An example of this can be seen in the development of a seniors' abuse and neglect policy by the Parks, Recreation and Culture department that was previously described. Team Development and Innovation: A team approach and collaboration is critical to the success of the Focus on Seniors initiative in that elder abuse is presently embedded within the fabric of our community and is represented in many ways. Addressing the issue from as many perspectives as possible including the legal perspective, the social and health perspective and the community safety perspective are examples of how usually divergent agencies such as the Public Trustee and Guardian, Parks, recreation and Culture Staff, Fire and Police Services work together with a common understanding and supportive nature to address elder abuse. In this manner the Focus on Seniors initiative is an innovative and focused approach to raising awareness within the community as well as within and between civic services and resource agencies and residents. Sharing training opportunities
to the direct delivery of information to participants, the panel discussion format allows a sharing of ideas and perspective about elder abuse, its causes, signs, symptoms and actions to both address abusive situations and to protect against such situations from developing. Participants and partners also share information and highlight resources and services provided by civic government including Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services, Surrey Public Library resources such as reading aids, in home deliveries and educational programs, Surrey Fire Service home Inspection program (free smoke alarms) and discussion about how to become involved as a resident. i.e. The United Way supported Surrey Seniors’ Planning Table, and community centres advisory boards who each advocate on behalf of seniors for civic improvements to programs, services and the built environment, such as improved sidewalk designs and road signage. Transferability of the Focus on Seniors service model: The Focus on Seniors service model is transferable as an initiative to raise awareness about and provide resources to address elder abuse. The key to success will be having civic support from all levels and departments and then to include community partners and individuals to collectively develop and event that in both engaging and participatory for all and that reflect the needs and demographics of the community. Accountability to Community Citizens: By generating awareness about the issue of elder abuse and neglect, an expectation develops that abuse will not be tolerated and that services and resources will be available and accessible to help seniors age in a healthy and safe environment. An example of this can be seen in the development of a seniors' abuse and neglect policy by the Parks, Recreation and Culture department that was previously described. Team Development and Innovation: A team approach and collaboration is critical to the success of the Focus on Seniors initiative in that elder abuse is presently embedded within the fabric of our community and is represented in many ways. Addressing the issue from as many perspectives as possible including the legal perspective, the social and health perspective and the community safety perspective are examples of how usually divergent agencies such as the Public Trustee and Guardian, Parks, recreation and Culture Staff, Fire and Police Services work together with a common understanding and supportive nature to address elder abuse. In this manner the Focus on Seniors initiative is an innovative and focused approach to raising awareness within the community as well as within and between civic services and resource agencies and residents. Sharing training opportunities