FYI Beaumont November

FYI BEAUMONT

| November 2016

www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss

Main Feature

November Is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta This year marks the 30th anniversary of Family Violence Prevention Month. The Alberta Legislature has been inspired to support family violence prevention as an ongoing provincial initiative, resulting in the creation of Family Violence Prevention Month. Today, hundreds of Alberta communities and thousands of individuals are actively involved in preventing family violence by providing public education and services.

Family violence is the abuse of power within relationships of family, trust or dependency that endangers the survival, security or well-being of another person. It can include spousal

abuse (married or common-law), elder abuse and neglect, child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, parent abuse and exposure to abuse of others in the family. Everyone has a role in preventing family violence and promoting healthy relationships. No single organization or sector is going to solve this complex social issue alone.

Your local Family and Community Support Services is partnering with other local agencies to help community members get involved.

The key to preventing family violence is raising awareness. We can all play a role in preventing family violence.

To help raise awareness for family violence in your community you can: 1. Sign the online pledge on the FCSS Facebook page at www.facebook. com/beaumontfcss.

2. Ask local business to display information about family violence prevention.

3. Participate in the Climb a Hill For Jill event on November 8.

4. Contact Beaumont FCSS @ 780-929-1006 to get involved or seek support.

CALENDAR NOVEMBER November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta Second Week • National Addiction Awareness Week; National, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Third Week • Bullying Awareness Week; National, www.bullying.org November 16 International Day of Tolerance; International, UN

November 19 World Day for Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children; International, Women’s World Summit Foundation November 20 Universal Children’s Day; International, UN November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; International, UN November 25 - December 6 White Ribbon Campaign; National;

The White Ribbon Campaign (men against men’s violence against women)

December December 3 United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons; International, UN December 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women; National, Status of Women Canada December 10 Human Rights Day; International, UN

FYI BEAUMONT

| November 2016

www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder Abuse is any action or inaction that jeopardizes the health or wellbeing of any older adult. It is often divided into six categories: physical, emotional, financial, sexual, medication and neglect.

Recognize the warning signs In an older adult: Be on the lookout for an older friend or acquaintance who seems to be in a troubling situation but is reluctant to answer questions about it. If he or she appears hungry, unclean, frightened of his or her caregiver, is frequently bruised, ill, neglected, or often confused, this may indicate abuse. Changes in personality—such as a lack of interest in activities that he or she used to enjoy, or unusual nervousness—may also be signs of a problem such as abuse. If you can’t get more information, trust your gut: if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

In a caregiver: If you see a caregiver attempting to dominate an older adult that may be a warning sign of abuse. If the caregiver is verbally or physically abusive to the older person, to you or anyone around you; if there is evidence of substance abuse or mental health problems in the caregiver; or if the caregiver is financially dependent on the older adult and expresses continual concern about money, this is cause for concern.

In the home: If an older adult or caregiver won’t

FYI Beaumont | November 2016

let others into the home there may be a problem. Signs that something is wrong in and around the home include an accumulation of newspapers and mail; a lack of attention to the home or a home that is in a state of disrepair; large numbers of people using the home; and odd noises or bad odors coming from the home.

unexplained burns or other signs of harm. Giving older adults unnecessary tranquilizers or sleeping pills, confining an older person, or tying him or her to a bed or a wheelchair are all forms of physical abuse. So is denying an older person adequate food and water, needed medications, and helping devices such as canes, walkers, hearing aids, and glasses.

Look for the following signs of elder

Emotional/psychological abuse: Intimidating, yelling, threatening, humiliating and ridiculing are all forms of emotional abuse. Isolating an older adult from friends and keeping him or her from activities he or she enjoys for no good reason, is a form of abusive control.

mistreatment Neglect: An older adult, who is wearing soiled clothing, is dirty, looks malnourished, has untreated physical problems, or is wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather should draw your attention.

Financial abuse: Unusual patterns of spending or withdrawals from an older adult’s account; frequent purchases of inappropriate items; bank account withdrawals made in spite of penalties; bills going unpaid; utilities being turned off; or the presence of a “new best friend” who is accepting generous “gifts” from the older adult may all be signs that he or she is being taken advantage of financially.

Physical abuse: Look for bruises, especially on the head or torso, and those shaped like a hand, finger or thumb. Pressure or “bed” sores – a painful breakdown of the skin that can cause anything from mild redness and swelling to deep wounds and infections – may be evidence of neglect. Look for

Sexual abuse: If an older adult suffers from unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding, has torn or bloodied underwear or bruises around the breasts or genitals, be concerned. An unexplained genital infection warrants a conversation with the older adult’s healthcare provider. If you don’t know the name of the healthcare provider, try to get more information about the infection from the older adult and contact the authorities.

Get help If you are an older adult or know someone who is being abused, neglected or exploited call the Alberta Government seniors abuse line 780-454-8888 (24 hour) or contact your local RCMP

Page 2

FYI BEAUMONT

| November 2016

www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss

Family Corner

Friendship As your children grow older, the days of hand-picking your child’s friends come to an end. Once children are emerged into the school system they will need your support, as a parent, to help equip them with the skills they need to choose their friends.

One of the ways we can do this is by educating and simply talking to our children. Talk with your child often about how friends should treat one another.

Explain that good friends respect others, follow the rules, and help those in need.

The more children know about what makes a good friend, the easier it will be for them to recognize a good friend when they meet them and to be a good friend themselves. You also need to identify behaviors, actions, or qualities that do not make up a good friend. Talk about the values you have as a family and help set some guidelines for your children to follow.

Children learn how to relate to people outside of their family from relationships within the family. As you strive to teach your child about healthy friendships, don’t forget to model them in your own life. Demonstrating good relationships skills with your spouse or partner, and taking time to nurture close friendships with others, is as important as simply talking about friendship skills.

To encourage healthy relationships, create opportunities for your child to play with kids who you think have a positive influence on them. Set up play dates at your house where you can observe the children playing together, and then encourage repeat dates with the kids that you feel are good role models for your child. It is important to get to know your child’s friends, observe how they interact, and help facilitate positive peer relationships.

FCSS Beaumont is running a Violence Prevention Campaign in the Schools in light of Family Violence and Bullying Prevention month. We are encouraging parents to help facilitate these conversations with their children.

Are you a good friend?

Positive friendships feel good. Feeling accepted, respected, and like you can talk openly with your friend are all good signs that you’re in a strong friendship.

But it’s not just about how your friend makes you feel it’s about how you feel about and treat them, too.

• Do you appreciate all the things that make your friend unique?

• Do you treat them with respect?

• Do you listen to them when they share their thoughts and feelings with you?

If you answered no to any of these questions ask a trusted adult about ways to be a good friend!

November 20 is National Child Day!

This year we celebrate a Child’s Right to Belong.

National Child Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1993 to commemorate the United Nation’s adoption of two documents centered on children’s rights; the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the child on November 20, 1959 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

FYI Beaumont | November 2016

on November 20, 1989. Canada has made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This commitment includes the opportunity for children to have a voice, be protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to meet their full potential!

Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and communities, and as active citizens who can meaningfully contribute to decision making.

For more information on National Child Day in Alberta, please visit: www.nationalchildday.ca

Page 3

FYI BEAUMONT

| November 2016

www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss

FYI Beaumont | November 2016

Page 4

FYI BEAUMONT

| November 2016

www.beaumont.ab.ca/fcss

CONTACT FCSS Kim Williston FCSS Director 780-929-1006 Brodie Stenhouse Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006 Kaylene McKinney Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006 Carey Cameron Community Development Coordinator 780-929-1006 Linda Mix-Kondratski Youth Outreach Coordinator 780-504-5969 Sarah Fodchuk Youth Centre Supervisor Chantal Bérubé Youth Centre (CBYC) 780-929-5155 Margaret Munchrath Administrative Support 780-929-1006

FYI Beaumont | November 2016

Page 5