IMAGES FOR THE
JOURNEY
A Kitchen Table, A Hand, An Inukshuk:
MAKING A NETWORK
BEING A NETWORK
TO END ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT
04 October 2011
How can we dare Wisdom
in the mosaic of our
realities?
Inès Maria dell’ Eucaristia
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
UNITED NATIONS
PRINCIPLES
Dignity
Independence
Participation
Self-fulfillment
Care
PRINCIPLES USED
IN CANADA
Dignity
Independence
Participation
Fairness
Security
"ABUSE FREE" PRINCIPLES
The right of older people to be free from harm or
neglect
 The right of older people to peace and security in
their homes and communities
 The right of older people to dignity and respect
 The right of older people to have a say in their
lives, in their community, and in their society
 Older adults' rights to freedom of expression and
thought
 Older adults' rights to have rights respected that
others take for granted
 The right of older people to have basic needs met,
such as food, shelter, care and support

WHAT IS MY IMAGE
OF OLDER PERSONS?
WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS
KITCHEN?
WE SIT TOGETHER AT THIS TABLE
GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ LABOUR
VOLUNTARY/RELIGIOUS/CIVIC
COMMUNITIES
YOU AS LEADERS
OLDER PERSONS THEMSELVES
SHARING A CONVERSATION
DECIDING A WAY FORWARD
WHICH HAND IS MINE?
WHICH HAND IS MINE?
WHOSE HANDS DO I TOUCH?
WHOSE HANDS DO I TOUCH?
AM I AN INUKSHUK?
ARE WE AN INUKSHUK?
I’m sittin’ on my stage-head lookin’ out at
where Skipper Joe Irwin’s schooner is
ridin’ at her moorin’ … thinkin’ about
how weak are the things that try to pull
people apart – differences in colours,
creeds and opinion – weak things like
the ripples tuggin’ at the schooner’s
chain. And thinkin’ about how strong
are the things that hold people together
– strong, like Joe’s anchor, and chain,
and the good holdin’ ground below.
Ted Russell, The Holdin’ Ground
ARE
WE AS NETWORK
THE CHAIN,
THE ANCHOR, OR
THE GOOD HOLDIN’ GROUND
BEANNACHT ("BLESSING")
May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul
bless the work that you do
with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do
the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work
bring healing, light and renewal
to those who work with you
and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of
refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert,
approaching your new day with dreams,
possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night
blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.
John O'Donoghue, Anam Cara