British Columbia GATEKEEPER PROGRAM

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British Columbia GATEKEEPER PROGRAM
Victoria Gatekeeper Program
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Gatekeeper Programs

• Provide education training
• Gatekeepers have direct contact with community
  members
• Bank tellers, grocery clerks, volunteers, service
  organizations, pharmacists, home support workers,
  letter carriers
• Connect vulnerable adults to community resources
  services

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Gatekeeper Program Benefits

• Preventative
• Promotes independence and interdependence
• Improves quality of life
• Builds strong caring communities

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Adults Vulnerable to Abuse Neglect and
Self-Neglect

• Often single
• Socially isolated
• Lack adequate support systems
• Impoverished
• Cultural barriers
• Inability to self-refer
• Resistant to assistance

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Adult Guardianship Legislation

• Proclaimed February 2000
• Defines abuse, neglect, and self-neglect
• Assists adults experiencing issues of abuse or
  neglect
• Ensures concerns will be investigated
• Designates specific agencies to investigate

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Designated Agencies

• VISTA (Victoria Innovative Seniors Treatment
  Approach)
• E.O.S. (Elderly Outreach)
• MCF Community Living Services
• Mental Health Intake
• Community Health Program (CHP)
• Client Relations Office
• General Inquiries
• NEED Crisis and Information Line

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Reporting Principles - AGA

• Least intrusive method
• Assumed competence
• Right to self-determination
• The informed and competent adult has the right to
  refuse assistance
• Safety first
• Criminal acts reported to police

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Designated Agency Functions

• Act in emergencies
• Assess the need for assistance
• Design support and assistance care plans
• Report criminal offences
• Consider legal tools

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When designated agency receives a report

• Must look into it
• Involve the adult as much as possible
• Report criminal offences to the police

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They may

• Take no further action
• Arrange access to an adult in an emergency
  situation
• Offer an adult a plan outlining various support
  services
• In a situation in which the adult is refusing
  help may be incapable, arrange an assessment
• Take an assessment of incapability to court for
  an order to get the adult assistance they need

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Non-Designated Agencies

• Victoria Transition House
• Family Caregiver Network
• ICA (Intercultural Association)
• Meals on Wheels
• Silver Threads
• Seniors Reassurance Programs
• Community Response Networks

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Community Response Networks

• Prevention education, advocacy
• Peer support
• Protocol development
• Partnerships
• Contact Dianne at 658-0274