Senior Safety Series

The Senior Safety Series is a proactive initiative that equips older adults with knowledge and tools to strengthen safety, independence, and wellbeing. The program will deliver six workshops annually, each three hours in length and led by three expert speakers. With room for 50 participants per session, the series can serve up to 300 seniors each year.

Workshops are designed to prevent abuse, reduce risks, and build resilience. Key topics include:

• Living Will, Wills, Personal Directives, Powers of Attorney – providing legal clarity and reducing risk of financial abuse.

• Senior Serving Programs – connecting seniors to local supports and increasing confidence to seek help.

• Fraud and Scam Prevention, Insurance Opportunities – teaching seniors to recognize scams, avoid exploitation, and protect financial wellbeing.

• Wellness, Communication, and Boundary Setting – reducing emotional abuse and neglect by strengthening healthy relationships.

• Housing Options and Safe Roommates – offering alternatives that reduce isolation and unsafe living arrangements.

• It’s Not Right – Elder Abuse Awareness – raising awareness of abuse, early recognition, intervention, and access to immediate support.

Each workshop will feature community experts to ensure content is accurate and practical. Participants will receive lunch, door prizes, and take-home folders with useful information and local contacts. Sessions will also be recorded for the Unison YouTube channel, and seniors will be introduced to presenters to build confidence in reaching out for ongoing support.

The program’s goals are prevention, earlier intervention, stronger connections to resources, and increased knowledge of community supports. Seniors will learn to recognize risks, seek timely help, and strengthen personal safety. The series also emphasizes a Pay It Forward approach—encouraging participants to share information, create informal support networks, and foster a culture of mutual encouragement and resilience.

The budget will cover staff coordination, promotion, speaker honoraria, refreshments and prizes, printed resources, and venue costs. Through thoughtful planning and strong partnerships, the Senior Safety Series will provide up to 300 seniors annually with the confidence, knowledge, and community connections they need to remain safe, supported, and engaged in later life.

The Senior Safety Series is designed to benefit seniors in our community who face risks of abuse, isolation, and limited access to reliable information. These are often individuals living on fixed incomes, managing chronic health conditions, or navigating complex family dynamics without the knowledge or confidence to protect themselves. Many seniors are unsure where to turn for help, which makes them more vulnerable to fraud, scams, financial exploitation, or unhealthy relationships.

By attending these workshops, seniors gain practical tools to safeguard themselves and make informed choices. Each session addresses a different area of risk—from financial and legal security to emotional wellbeing, housing stability, and abuse prevention—ensuring that participants leave with actionable knowledge and clear connections to local supports.

The program is especially important for seniors who may feel isolated or lack strong family networks. By participating, they not only learn about community resources but also meet peers facing similar challenges. This reduces feelings of loneliness and creates a sense of belonging. Seniors are encouraged to share what they learn with friends, family, and neighbors, extending the benefit well beyond the immediate group of participants.

The series also benefits seniors who are caregivers or companions to others. They will leave better prepared to recognize early warning signs of abuse and to provide guidance or referrals when needed. Each participant is equipped with take-home information and direct introductions to experts, ensuring they know where to go if issues arise in the future.

With a capacity of 300 participants annually, the direct benefit will be widespread. Seniors will experience greater confidence in managing financial and legal matters, improved communication and boundary setting, stronger awareness of scams and fraud, and a deeper understanding of how to recognize and respond to elder abuse. The Pay It Forward approach means that knowledge gained will ripple outward, helping protect many more seniors across the community.

Ultimately, the beneficiaries are seniors themselves—those at risk, those seeking preventative knowledge, and those who will go on to support others. By strengthening safety, confidence, and community connections, the Senior Safety Series builds a safer and more resilient environment for seniors to live with dignity and independence.