Mr. Speaker, the department has been collaborating with the NWT Seniors Society’s network for the prevention of abuse of older adults. A key action in the strategy is related to training for frontline providers and screening, assessment and support of older adults who actually are undergoing abuse. Older adult abuse screening tools are designed to gather information about older adults and their circumstances in order to evaluate the possibility of abuse occurrence. Screening tools offer a framework for deciding what strategies may be the most appropriate, if problems are identified based on the individuals situations.

The department has been working with the NWT Seniors Society to develop these screening tools for Health and Social Services providers, going to the members comment, so that they can identify elders who may be at risk of abuse and family caregivers at risk of burnout. The tools were focus tested by seniors in December 2015 and these tools will be trialed in practice setting during this fiscal year. We’re collaborating with the authorities on policies to support implementation of the new continuing care standards. So those are a number of the things that we are doing, but it’s all about partnerships, Mr. Speaker and working closely with the NWT Seniors Society and other groups throughout the Northwest Territories.