Annual Virtual Conference Series | 2023
Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: Reporting Elder Abuse
Tuesday, November 2nd 2023
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
EAPO, leader in elder abuse prevention, hosts Provincial Conference to address reporting elder abuse in Ontario!
EAPO, leader in elder abuse prevention, hosts Provincial Conference to address reporting elder abuse in Ontario!
This virtual conference, the third in our conference series, will continue our conversation on ending the abuse of older persons by shining a light on reporting abuse!
Reporting suspected cases of elder abuse is essential for protecting our older persons in our community. However, many community members, families, seniors, and service providers are unaware of their obligations to report or what happens once a report is made to authorities.
EAPO brings together leading experts from Ontario, who will share knowledge and engage delegates in discussions through case studies and stories to learn how authorities/organizations respond to reports of elder abuse to ensure that proper measures are taken to keep older persons safe from harm.
Key highlights of conference program:
Reporting concerns to authorities… gain insights on professional and community members roles/responsibilities for reporting abuse and the roles and actions of investigators and inspectors.
Information and evidence to provide… learn the factual information to present to authorities when reporting abuse.
Safety of older persons/residents: understand the role of police and justice partners to assist in protecting older adults, if in immediate danger, and/or when there are concerns for their safety and well-being.
Service providers, family members and bystanders coming forward: acquire knowledge on the ethical challenges and issues arising in the reporting of elder abuse, and how an ethical framework tool can assist in making difficult decisions when a person may have information about abuse to come forward and report their observations or concerns.
By understanding the reporting obligations and appropriate actions, we can hold perpetrators accountable, ensure the safety and well-being of older persons and work towards creating a safer community that values and protects the dignity of for our older population.
Who should attend: Community and health care providers, justice services, Retirement Homes, Long-term Care homes, academics, older adults, families and caregivers.
The Conference will be provided with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. 
Reserve your spot today!
Previous EAPO virtual conferences have attracted over 500 delegates.
Be sure to join us for our FREE virtual conference.
SPEAKERS
Denise Koster Keynote Speaker
LLM, CTM Lic. PI CEO, Koster Consulting & Associates
Denise Koster is a seasoned expert in violence prevention and resolution, boasting a career spanning over three decades. With a steadfast commitment to addressing societal issues surrounding violence, Denise founded Koster Consulting & Associates in 1994, inspired by the tragic loss of an elderly Indigenous client to violence. Denise’s journey in her professional trajectory was marked by her role as Clinical Director at a prominent community health centre, where she adeptly managed multidisciplinary teams of medical, nursing, and social service professionals.
Denise has significantly contributed to special assignments such as the Provincial Evaluator for projects like “Project S.A.V. Community Mobilization Empowering Seniors Against Victimization” and “Ontario Family Councils Program.” Denise’s qualifications include being trauma-informed trained and a Licensed Private Investigator, holding a Master of Law (LLM) in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School, certificates in Human Resources Law and Elder Law, and the prestigious distinction of Certified Threat Manager (CTM), a title held by only approximately 150 individuals worldwide. She’s also the author of the enlightening book, “Refusing to Accept the Unacceptable: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Workplace Bullying and Harassment.” Denise specializes in investigating and managing various forms of abuse, including discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying.
Ben Razulis
Manager, Inspections Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority
Ben Razulis has been with RHRA since 2012 and currently is the Manager, Inspections (West), a position he has held since June 2021. Previously, Ben held the positions of Inspector, as well as Specialist, Team Lead and Manager of the Complaints and Client Services team at RHRA, overseeing the Intake, Complaints and Licensing portfolios. During his time at RHRA, Ben has been involved in a number of key program development and process improvement initiatives within the Regulatory Operations department.
Prior to RHRA, Ben obtained his BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, while gaining experience working in the property assessment, government, and financial sectors.
Jason Balgopal
Assistant Crown Attorney
Jason Balgopal is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, and an Ontario lawyer, who was called to the bar in 1999. He has been practicing exclusively in criminal law since 2003, and has been an Assistant Crown Attorney in the Scarborough Crown Attorneys’ office since 2004. He has appeared in all levels of court in Ontario, and has conducted all manner of prosecutions, including murder trials and a dangerous offender application.
He is a member of the Elder Abuse Consultation Team (EACT) in Toronto and has presented many times on the topic of Elder Abuse. He is also a member of the Scarborough Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (HSJCC) which helps to coordinate the various services offered by different organizations to a diverse population.
After a lengthy challenge with depression, and after getting to a better “head-space” for himself, he wished to give back to the community which had supported him. Thus, in 2015, he created the Mental Wellness Peer Support Groups, which have been operating continuously since in person, and are now (since COVID started) operating virtually through Zoom. The groups offer members an opportunity to unburden themselves to peers (people who have “walked a mile in your shoes”) about how their mental wellness challenge is affecting them and get feedback (empathy or best practices) to support them. More information can be found at: www.MentalWellness.help , and people may sign up for the Peer Support Group by joining www.MeetUp.com and searching for: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support Groups, or directly at: https://www.meetup.com/Mental-Wellness-Peer-to-Peer-Support-Groups/
Rosanna (Rosie) Macri
Intergenerational Mediator & Practicing Healthcare Ethicist, Compassionate Consultant
Rosanna Macri has over a decade of experience as a practicing healthcare ethicist and has been in healthcare since 2003. Throughout that time, she has mediated countless values-based conflicts amongst patients, clients, residents, families, and healthcare professionals, keeping the clients’ values at the centre of care. Over the years, Rosie has developed a passion for helping older adults maintain personhood and autonomy throughout the aging process. Through her experience, Rosie offers families the hope of resolving challenging situations in a way that both nurtures and maintains relationships.
Rosie completed a Master of Health Science in Bioethics from the University of Toronto, Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB) and an academic fellowship in Clinical and Organizational Ethics with the JCB and was a senior ethics fellow at Toronto East General Hospital. Rosie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiation Sciences and prior to becoming a practicing healthcare ethicist, worked as a Medical Radiation Therapist nationally and internationally. She has an Advanced Certificate in Conflict Management and Mediation through the University of Waterloo, holds a Qualified Mediator designation with the Alternate Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada, and is an Accredited Intergenerational Mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and co-chairs the Elder Mediation Special Interest Section for the Alternate Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario. In 2022, Rosie received the Canadian Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders and a Masters Certificate in Health Leadership Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University
Jeffrey Horncastle
Acting Client and Communications Outreach Officer, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Jeff has worked in the Fraud Prevention and Intake Unit (FPIU) at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for the past 6 years and has been acting in the Client and Communications Outreach Officer position for 2 years where he coordinates fraud prevention initiatives and messaging.
France Lauzon
CFCI, BCPIF
Senior Investigator, Global
Security & Investigations (GSI), Eastern Canada
Enterprise Protect
Katherine Ballweg
Counsel, Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, Ministry of the Attorney General (OPGT)
Mike Payne
Detective Constable
Detective Constable Mike Payne has worked for 27 years as a police officer with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS). Currently he is assigned as an elder abuse investigator with WRPS Senior Support Team and investigated and risk assessed over 800 complaints of elder abuse over his career as an elder abuse investigator with WRPS.
His police experience includes General Patrol, Community Development, General Investigations, Homicide, Communications Center Operations and Major Frauds. He is currently the Vice-Chair of Law Enforcement Agencies and Seniors Partners Protecting Seniors (LEAPPS) and Chair of Waterloo Wellington Elder Abuse Prevention Council.
DC Payne is a University of Waterloo graduate and obtained the Osgoode Hall Certificate in Elder Law in 2021. He is an advocate for capacity building within Waterloo Region to prevent elder abuse and ensure seniors thrive with Honor – Dignity – Respect.