Statement made on 01 December 2009 by Senator Sharon Carstairs (retired)
Hon. Sharon Carstairs:
Honourable senators, my question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, and it relates to her capacity as minister with responsibility for seniors.
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of physical violence against seniors, particularly women. I know the minister is well aware of this fact. The government has recognized it in their advertising campaign, informing Canadians that such violence exists, and I have congratulated her on that campaign. However, an advertising campaign, in and of itself, is not enough. Much violence against seniors, unfortunately, happens at the hands of their caregivers — caregivers who are frequently untrained or frequently, unfortunately, suffering from great exhaustion. These caregivers are the family caregivers. They do not have enough respite care.
When will this government recognize its responsibility in establishing a national caregivers' strategy, as recommended unanimously by the Special Senate Committee on Aging?
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