Quebec Provincial Association
of Retired School Educators
QPARSE President's Messages
Current Events
5th ANNUAL WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
Wear something purple on June 15.
Did you know that on June 15, 2010 we will be observing the 5th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)? It all started in Madrid in 2002 when countries throughout the world adopted the United Nations International Plan of Action on Ageing. Since 2006 an increasing number of events are held across the globe to raise awareness of elder abuse, highlight ways to challenge and ultimately put an end to this neglect.
Did you know that elder abuse can happen to any one of us? I always thought that it occurred only to older seniors unable to take care of themselves. Contrary to popular belief elder abuse happens to people who are quite capable to make their own decisions. Elders are targeted because they are considered easy targets.
Like other forms of family violence, it is often never reported. It is frightening to denounce this type of abuse but keeping it hidden permits cruelty and neglect to thrive. Too often the neglect of our elders is not readily identified by service providers, community or even family members and ill-treatment goes undetected. In fact, some elders also believe that it is their fault that they are abused and are ashamed to report it.
Elder abuse is defined by any action which causes harm to an older person or one that jeopardizes his or her health or welfare by a person in a position of trust. There are different types of elder abuse including physical, sexual, mental, neglect and financial abuse. Financial abuse, in fact is the most common form of elder abuse. Social isolation can also be another significant risk factor for an older person.
Often time, elder abuse is caused by a family member or a friend and oddly enough it is hardly reported to the authorities. Abused elders are sometimes afraid of the abusers. It could be that they depend on these persons for the necessities of life. They also fear that their loved ones will be jailed or that they themselves will be put away in an institution.
There are signs and symptoms of elder abuse. Keep an eye out for unexplained injuries, neglect or diminished self-esteem. Sometimes abused elders are fearful, withdrawn and are reluctant to talk openly about their situation. If a senior is not dressed appropriately or dirty, especially when you know that this person would not usually be seen like this in public, it may be time to investigate or at the very least discretely ask questions! If you know or suspect that a friend, family member, neighbor, or acquaintance is being abused, report it to the police or social services. Elder abuse is never acceptable. Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing something purple on June 15, 2010
Posted 25 May 2010
Board members needed for QFHSA
The Québec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA) is seeking volunteers to serve on its’ Board of Directors. Meetings are once month usually on Saturdays. Mileage is reimbursed.
Members are also needed on the Rights/Education/Public Affairs Committee as well as the Parenting/Literacy Committee.
If you are interested in the welfare of children, parental concerns, and the education system this volunteer position is for you.
For more information please contact Carol Meindl QFHSA President at (514) 481-5619. More information on the QFHSA can be found at www.qfhsa.org
Looking for Volunteer ESL Teachers
Do you have ESL teaching experience? Would you like to help adult immigrants learn English?
Tyndale St.George's is a non-profit community center located downtown near the intersection of Guy and St. Antoine. Our English Language Department is staffed by volunteer teachers. We teach a diverse population of immigrants and refugees who come from all around the world. Our students are wonderful! They are highly-motivated adults who need to improve their English skills in order to be able to find work (or a better job) here in Montreal.
Our classes are offered Monday-Thursday 9:30 - 11:45 and 6:00 - 8:15. We ask for a commitment of one morning or one evening a week for 6 weeks. Our upcoming sessions are January 18 - February 25 and March 1 - April 8, 2010.
We offer a welcoming environment with free coffee, tea and snacks to our students and volunteer teachers. If you can devote 2 hours a week to teaching an ESL class, we'd love to hear from you!
If you are interested, please contact Winnie or Colleen at:
(514) 931- 4494
tsglang@videotron.ca
Please visit our website: www.tyndalestgeorges.ca
Posted 14th December 2009
Employment in the non-profit sector survey The Survey
Employment in the non-profit sector survey
Research project conducted by the HR Council. The Human Resources Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector is conducting a confidential survey which may be of interest to individuals aged 45+ who are planning to retire or make other work changes, or who are already retired. The HR Council works with educators, labour and government to identify and address HR issues and is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. For more information on the HR Council, see: http://www.hrcouncil.ca/home.cfm
The survey is available in both English and French and should take about 10 minutes to complete. The HR Council will use the study results to develop information materials to better inform employers and individuals about paid employment opportunities in the Canadian non-profit sector. Completing the survey will be informative to individuals, and also aid the Canadian non-profit sector and its 69,000 charitable and community organizations. A direct web-link is provided at the end of the survey which takes those who have completed the survey to a web page where they can request additional information regarding employment in the non-profit sector and/or request a copy of the final study results.
If you wish to complete the survey, a direct web-link is provided below: https://www.surveycentral.ca/npvs/survey.htm
Posted 22nd September 2009
Request for participants in a research project
M., Mrs,
We are seeking women 60 and older continent or who experience stress urinary incontinence to participate in a research project aimed at developing better rehabilitation treatments. As you know, after 60, half of women suffer from an involuntary loss of urine. Often dismissed as a minor problem, urinary incontinence can result in social isolation and the loss of self confidence and autonomy. It can even increase the risk of falls and the likelihood of institutionalisation.
However, treatment is available
Our study aims at exploring the relationship between urinary incontinence, pelvic floor muscle function and the brain. We also would like to develop diagnostic tools to better identify women, who could benefit from pelvic floor muscle training.
Participation implies an initial evaluation session (about 3 hrs). To this evaluation, we add a 12 week exercise program (1h per week) and a final evaluation (30 min) for the incontinent women.
We would greatly appreciate you to send the included recruitment notices to your association members to allow the participation of a greater number of women to our study, and to allow these women to possibly improve their quality of life.
Do not hesitate to contact us for further information,
Chantale Dumoulin, pht, Ph.D. Chercheure principale Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal
chantal.dumoulin@umontreal.ca (514) 340-3540 poste 4129
DESTA Black Youth Network
Lion Wolf School
This organization is currently seeking retired teachers who might be interested in volunteering their time, a couple of hours a week, to come in and tutor some of their students. They feel that it is very important for the success of the program to have volunteers who are experienced in the field of education. Teachers have a special way of presenting material that may not be obvious to other volunteers off the street. Information on the organization can be found on the web or by phone; the contact is Lisa Hall – DESTA Education Coordinator, Phone: 514-932-7597, Email: desta_lion_wolf@yahoo.ca, Website: www.destanetwork.ca.
The Quebec Association for ADULT LEARNING (QAAL) is currently seeking members for its board of directors. QAAL is an association devoted to lifelong learning. It's members are involved in community activities. Membership in the association has numerous advantages Please refer to our web site http://doe.concordia.ca/qaal/ for more information and membership.This association should interest all those whose experience in education can be shared.Interested parties can contact me Mario Pasteris Executive Director at 514-910-6935 or email mario_pasteris@yahoo.ca.
Would you like to join the organization running the kids help phone program.
Read the poster to recruit student mentors and visit their web site.
the idea is for retired teachers to:
1) Disseminate the information to teachers and youth (13-18 yrs) as schools play a vital role in recruitment and program maintenance. In other words, to promote the Student Ambassador training conferences.
2) We are also looking for adults/teachers who are interested in getting involved in the program to help with maintenance, youth mentorship, recruitment and group facilitation.
Posted 10 September 2008
You can send a message or comment to the President through the Contact Form.
