Program turns up the volume on senior financial abuse issues

Winnipeg – In recognition of June Seniors Month and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), MoneySmart Manitoba and CJNU 93.7 FM are joining forces for a special live panel discussion on senior financial abuse and senior fraud.

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This special episode of CJNU’s Community Champions program will broadcast live from Johnston Terminal at The Forks Market on
Wednesday, June 15, at noon. Co-hosted by CJNU’s Adam Glynn and MoneySmart’s Ainsley Cunningham, the program will focus on
spotting the signs of financial abuse, taking precautions to stop abuse from happening, ending abusive situations, and new legislation
that can help shield seniors from financial fraud.

Panelists include Sharon Tod, lawyer with St. Mary’s Law LLP; Sophia Ali, Mental Health and Crisis Services Director with Klinic; Arian Poushangi, lawyer with MFSA; and Jason Roy, senior investigator with MFSA. The program will cover topics such as detecting and preventing senior financial abuse, wills and estate planning, Manitoba’s new Trusted Contact Person and Temporary Hold legislation, and fostering good mental and financial health with the seniors we care about.

“The MFSA is committed to the financial wellbeing of older Manitobans,” says Cunningham. “MoneySmart and CJNU have once again brought together an excellent panel of highly experienced and passionate speakers from our community, who each bring a distinct voice to this important topic. Elder abuse and fraud awareness are critical issues—not just for seniors--but for families and caregivers as well.

Research shows between four and ten percent of older adults in Manitoba have been victims of senior financial abuse, which can include outright theft of money or credit cards, pressure to lend money without repayment, or financial exploitation of a person experiencing cognitive decline. The Manitoba Law Reform Commission (MLRC) issued a consultation paper on elder abuse and neglect in 2021, recognizing the issue as both a potential ‘public health crisis,’ and a major challenge for the legal system. Sharon Tod, a member of the Commission’ Elder Abuse Project Advisory Committee, outlines some of the problems seniors face.

“The MLRC’s Project on Elder Abuse and Neglect reports that those over 65 currently make up 18% of the Canadian population,” says Tod, “This is expected to grow to 23% within 10 years. It is therefore more important than ever that various groups in the health and legal communities work together with seniors organizations, older adults, their families, and caregivers to bring awareness to the issues of abuse and neglect and recommend ways to prevent these problems before they happen.”

Questions for the experts are welcome and encouraged, before, during, and after the broadcast, and can be directed to info@moneysmartmanitoba.ca

The special WEAAD Episode of “Community Champions,” airs Wednesday, June 15 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. LIVE on 93.7 CJNU FM or cjnu.ca

The Manitoba Financial Services Agency is a Special Operating Agency of the Government of Manitoba. Through its two divisions, The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) and Financial Institutions Regulation Branch (FIRB), the MFSA regulates securities, real estate, cooperatives, credit unions, and insurance in the province.

CJNU 93.7 FM is Winnipeg's English-language, community licensed radio station. It is owned and operated by Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative, a not-for-profit community service cooperative, and is powered almost exclusively by volunteers. CJNU is programmed to appeal to a discerning audience of (primarily) 50 years and older, and works closely with fellow non-profits, community groups and associations, arts and cultural organizations, and government departments to help amplify and 'shine a light' on the good news stories happening throughout our communities.

Klinic Community Health provides a full range of health related services from medical care to counselling and education. Driven by our vision of creating healthy and engaged communities, we promote health and quality of life for people of every age, background, ethnicity, gender identity, and socio-economic circumstance. Rooted in social justice values, we believe that everyone deserves quality care, support and respect.

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