The Yukon Public Legal Education Association has received more than $300,000 in federal funding for programs directed at eliminating elder abuse in the territory.

"The Yukon senior and elder population is increasing,”association director Kim Sova said in an interview this morning.

There are some good legal tools available to seniors who have lost their independence, she said, noting in particular the 2005 Adult Protection and Decision Making Act.

Knowledge of what tools are available and how to access them is limited, however, Sova noted.

"We're hoping by giving seniors and elders and caregivers and community support workers information on those tools that are available we can allow seniors to plan for possible loss of independence and protect themselves and each other from abuse,” said Sova.

"Especially in the communities, abuse is often not reported because it's often family members, there's a great fear that it will continue, or they won't see their grandchildren...we're hoping that if we can get the conversation started and give people tools to prevent it that we can do something to address the abuse of our elders.”

Sova said it's hard to accurately estimate the prevalence of elder abuse in the territory because so much of it goes unreported, but there is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence.

The program will run over three years, the first of which will be focused on examining the information currently available, determining key gaps in information and how best to present it to seniors across the territory.

In years two and three, the association plans to have information packages available.

It will also begin presenting seminars in Yukon communities that address guardianship information, wills, powers of attorney and information on what to do if financial, physical or emotional abuse is occurring.

"We're hoping to work with seniors' groups throughout the territory to see how we can best get information to them.

"It will be a combination of written materials and tool kits, information sessions that we'll bring out to the communities and Whitehorse.

"Also, we're looking at doing podcasts and having them on our website so people can view them remotely,” said Sova.

The organization's goal is to hold at least one information session in every community.

In a press release from last week, Yukon MP Ryan Leef said "Canadian seniors and elders in the North need our help in the fight against elder abuse.

"By educating people on the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, we are empowering communities to stand up and stop the abuse.”

Alice Wong, the Minister of State for Seniors, was also in the Yukon for the announcement.

"Elder abuse robs older people of their dignity and well-being at a time when they ought to feel secure,” Wong said in the release.

"Our government is taking action to prevent the neglect and harm that seniors may experience.”