According to the Demographic Profile of Older Manitobans released by the Manitoba Government in February 2023, over half (51.2 per cent) of Manitobans over the age of 65 self-rated their health as “excellent or very good”. However, 54-62 per cent of Manitobans over 55 years are inactive (i.e., walking less than half an hour a day). Approximately one quarter (24.4 per cent) of Manitobans over 65 feel isolated from others “often”, which is a higher proportion than any other province in Canada.

On Sept. 18, 2023,  the Home Assistance Neepawa and District (H.A.N.D), our local non- profit organization in the area that provides support services to Seniors 55+ and Persons with Disabilities organized a Senior Health and Wellness Day to address some of the current issues and concerns of our seniors in the area. According to Michelle Kasprick, current HAND Coordinator, she felt the need to invite some organizations that could provide information that addressed many of the  inquiries she receives in the office. She also invited speakers for two topics; Fraud & Scam prevention and a Lifeline Presentation to cover issues that some seniors don't know about because of their social isolation and living independently.

Mark Morehouse, retired RCMP officer talked about the different types of frauds and scams, how seniors are vulnerable to it and shared some advice on how to prevent it from happening. He mentioned that the most common form of elder abuse is financial abuse. He said that one of the most reported cases in the area of Fraud and Scams experienced by our seniors are late night calls from their close relatives asking for money. They are later discovered to be scams.

Another presentation was by Vicki Russenholt, Education Facilitator of the Victoria Lifeline Medical Alert Service Manitoba. She discussed some of the health & safety concerns of our seniors and emphasized the need for seniors to access available resources to empower them, especially those living alone.