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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 24 ,2 02 1 | 22 Vaccines are Safe and Reliable Take immediate action to protect you and your family from COVID-19. Things EveryOlder Adult Needs to Know5 1. Vaccines reduce the risks of getting a disease. They work with your body's natural defenses to build protection. Vaccines train your body to fight a virus if it enters your body. This protection can reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. 2. Vaccination is a provenway to reduce the impact of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines will help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us getting the illness. 3. Vaccines work with your immune system so your bodywill be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. This can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 andmake your symptomsmilder if you do get it. 4. None of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. Symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. 5. Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine distribution program has three-phases. Priority populations identified by the province will get the vaccine first, including essential caregivers, long-term care/retirement home residents and staff. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 NOWwill help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. GET YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATIONNOW. Formore information visit Region ofWaterloo Public Health or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, depending onwhere you live. Continue to: • Avoid gatherings with people that live outside your home. • Limit trips outside your home. • Stay 2metres away from people you do not livewith. • Wear amask that covers your nose andmouth. • Avoid indoor spaces and crowded places. • Stay homewhen you are sick and isolate from others in your house. • If you have symptoms, make an appointment to be tested. Seniors' Month CELEBRATING ADVERTORIAL Elder abuse is preventable: You can make a di� erence During the pandemic, many of us have been feeling lonely or isolated. We miss see- ing our family and friends in person. For some older adults though, the feelings of loneliness and isolation started long before the pandem- ic. The pandemic restrictions only worsened the social isolation they were already experi- encing. Older adults who are socially isolated may notice not only impacts on their physical and mental health, but are also at higher risk of experiencing elder abuse. What is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse is the mistreatment of an older adult by someone they should be able to trust or rely upon. Elder abuse can take many forms such as: financial, emotional, physical, sexual, or neglect. It often occurs when there is an imbalance of power and an older adult's rights are disregarded. Intimidation, humilia- tion, or coercion can make an older adult feel powerless. By definition, elder abuse is perpetrated by someone in a position of trust, oftentimes, a family member, close friend, or caregiver. The sense of betrayal and hurt runs deep, and the situation becomes even more complex when the older adult depends on that person for assis- tance with their care or daily needs. Elder Rights Are Human Rights Older adults deserve to: • be treated with respect and dignity • experience human rights and protec- tions regardless of age, gender, racial or eth- nic background, disability or other status, or socio-economic status. • make their own decisions and retain autonomy • have access to health care, social and legal services As a community, we can band together and ensure dignified treatment of all older adults. By promoting the human rights that older adults are entitled to, we can set the expectation that elder abuse is never accept- able. Elder Abuse Prevention: Elder abuse is everyone's business. Elder abuse can happen to anyone, and it is up to the community as a whole to help prevent abuse from occur- ring. By fostering an inclusive and welcoming community, all older adults can feel safe and supported. What Can YOU Do to Help? • Stay connected with older adults in your life. Continue to check in even if visits are virtual. • Educate yourself on signs and risk factors associated with elder abuse. • Inform older adults of their rights; create a sup- portive environ- ment where it is possible for seniors to make their own, informed deci- sions. • Feel free to ask "are you okay?" and truly wait for honest answers. Initiate tough con- versations. • If there are warning signs and you suspect abuse, report it. Preventing elder abuse is a community responsibility. You can be the person that makes a difference for the older adults in your life. Stay connected and promote the human rights to which all older adults are entitled. If you, or an older adult you know is at risk, call Seniors Safety Line: 1-866-299-1011 - Prepared by Chloe Hamilton on behalf of the Elder Abuse Prevention Council, in collaboration with the Waterloo Wellington "The term 'innocent bystanders' is an untruth. Those who do nothing when things are amiss, give permission for injustice to continue." -June Callwood