“Stop Abuse, Restore Respect”
VISION
EAPO envisions an Ontario where ALL seniors are free from ageism and abuse,
where human rights are advanced, protected and respected.
MISSION
The mission of the organization is to create an Ontario that is free from abuse for all seniors:
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) is the provincial organization recognized for its leadership in elder abuse prevention in the province, providing education, training, resource development and information about the increasingly complex issues of elder abuse.
EAPO engages and with over 40 local area Elder Abuse Networks across Ontario, to meet the unique needs of their local community in preventing elder abuse. EAPO collaborates to promote public awareness, deliver education programs and activities, develop resources and enhance awareness of local supports, services and available program that help older adults who are at-risk or experiencing abuse within their communities.
EAPO is committed to working collaboratively with government and community partners, across all sectors, to ensure support for seniors are optimized. In doing so, EAPO is helping break down barriers, whether language, cultural, accessibility challenges or fundamental gaps in knowledge to improving the quality of life and well-being of seniors and their families. This is particularly relevant during ongoing impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic .
EAPO envisions an Ontario where ALL seniors are free from ageism and abuse, where human rights are advanced, protected and respected.
EAPO builds on the strengths, successes and relationships whether long-standing historic ones, or those recently forged through newly developed community initiatives. The focus of work continues to be advancement of elder abuse prevention strategies and building capacity for consistent responses province-wide.
Our History
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario was initially founded in 1989, as the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA). In 1991 ONPEA was registered as a non-for-profit charitable organization, dedicated to the prevention of elder abuse and neglect in Ontario. The organization has over its lifespan, changed names (Elder Abuse Ontario) and most recently in 2019, became Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO).
Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, from all corners of the province, EAPO is funded by the Ontario Government, through the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) to support the implementation of the Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse. EAPO has been the recipient of additional funding streams through research partnerships, training initiatives, special project grants and the generosity of donors wishing to support the cause.
Ontario’s Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse
Launched in 2002, the Minister Responsible for Seniors, and the Attorney General announced the Strategy, the first of its kind in Canada.
The Strategy is based on (3) Priorities of activities:
- Coordination of Community Services
- Public Education and Awareness
- Training of Front-Line Staff
Since then, EAPO has made significant progress in addressing the issues, but there is still so much more that can be done. By collaborating with like-minded, dedicated community groups, older adults, service professionals and agencies throughout Ontario the outreach to safeguard and help protect older adults continues to grow.