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HVD 2018 CONFERENCE BY SECTION

ADVOCACY TO PROMOTE RESIDENT RIGHTS

ADVOCACY: A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO PROMOTE THE RIGHTS TO DIGNITY AND QUALITY OF CARE OF RESIDENTS IN SITUATIONS OF VULNERABILITY

Workshop 2

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WEBCAST

WORKSHOP LEADERS
Johanne Ravenda, advocate, former patient attendant and caregiver
President and Cofounder with the late Hélène Rumak
Handicap-Vie-Dignité
Graduate of McGill University with a Masters in Social Work
Member of the Expert Advisory Committee, HVD
Ann Vergeylen, Caregiver, advocate
Master’s degree in Educational Technology, Concordia University
Trainer, NDG Community Commitee on Elder Abuse (NDGCCEA)
Member of the Expert Advisory Committee, HVD
WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF:
Ura Greenbaum
Director, Association for the Defense of People and Their Properties Under Public Curatorship /
Member of the Board of Directors of the Table de concertation des aînés de Montréal
Member of the Expert Advisory Committee, HVD
OBJECTIVES

Any person living in a long-term care facility needs a person, free from any conflict of interest, to represent them and advocate for their dignity and right to proper treatment. In many cases, a family member or trusted friend is assigned this role. To become a better advocate, this individual needs to understand user rights in long-term care accommodations and how to apply and exercise them on a daily basis. In this workshop, you will learn what an advocate is and does and why it is important today to speak out on behalf of an institutionalized individual. As an informed advocate, you will also learn to identify and report the warning signs in care settings, including abuse and the more personal aspects of care. In doing so, you will be involved in reducing, if not eradicating, situations of abuse and neglect while proactively promoting proper treatment.

THROUGH PRACTICAL EXERCISES, AFTER THIS WORKSHOP, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
  • Understand the concept of proactive advocacy
  • Understand its principles of response
  • Identify the rights and responsibilities of residents
  • Recognize situations of abuse and neglect in a long-term care setting
  • Instill a sense of responsibility in each and every one to report and respond when situations of abuse and neglect are suspected
  • Develop a tool box for improved response with the authorities involved
  • Identify the steps needed to lodge a complaint, either formal or informal, in order to prevent or rectify a situation of abuse or neglect
  • Identify strategies for addressing known barriers when lodging a complaint
  • Apply your knowledge of the rights of users to improve their quality of life in a long-term care setting
DOCUMENT AND USEFUL LINKS
Powerpoint presentation of workshop
Guide “Les douze droits des usagers du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux” (available in french only)
Radio interview with Johanne Ravenda
Legal website “Vos droits en santé “ (available in french only)
Fédération des Centres d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes (CAAP) Website
Vidéo “Advocacy: l’art de revendiquer” (HVD,1997)
Video “Advocacy: The Art of Speaking Out” (HVD, 1997)
Actes du colloque HVD: « Brisons le silence - Dévoiler les mauvais traitements infligés dans les institutions / Intervention en faveur des droits de personnes ayant des incapacités » (1995)
Conference proceedings: HVD "Speaking out Against Abuse in Institutions: Advocating for the Rights of People with Disabilities" (1995)
Association for the Defense of People and Their Properties Under Public Curatorship
Conseil pour la Protection des Malades
Handicap-Vie-Dignité
HVD 2018 Conference
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If you have any questions regarding a situation of elder mistreatment, you can contact the Elder Mistreatment Helpline (La ligne aide abus aînés) so that a staff member can fully assess your situation and needs, and provide the most appropriate assistance (bilingual service for Quebec residents only):

All rights reserved, Handicap-Vie-Dignité, 2018

Reproduction, by any means whatsoever, of the translation or distribution of this document, even partial ones, is permitted. However, the reproduction of this document or its use for personal purposes, private study, training or scientific research, excluding commercial purpose, are permitted provided the source and the author are mentioned.