Polytechnic students raise money to help stop elder abuse

By Lethbridge Herald on March 18, 2025.

Theraputic recreation student Maryann Mein speaks alongside classmates Chara Umbach and Mya Brussee before presenting a donation to LSCO support services manager Amy Cook (second from left) on Tuesday morning at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Herald photo by Alexandra Noad

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Therapeutic Recreation students at Lethbridge Polytechnic raised over $900 for a local organization that help elderly people who are experiencing abuse.

Every February, second-year students raise money for an organization of their choosing to celebrate Therapeutic Recreation Month.

This year the students sold T-shirts, facecloths and claw clips as a fundraiser. Coaldale Pharmasave also participated in the fundraiser by collecting donations through roundups of purchases made.

In total the group of students raised $934.25 with proceeds going to Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network (LEARN), an organization based out of Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO), that help seniors facing abuse connect with resources.

Maryann Mein, a second-year therapeutic recreation student at the polytechnic, says it was a fulfilling experience to sell something that represents her passion as a therapeutic recreation but also benefit an organization that helps people she has worked with closely.

“It was really fulling to not only design shirts that therapeutic recreation specialists can wear, because we don’t have a lot of merch, so it was really great to make clothing for us, but then also benefit such a wonderful program in our community.”

According to an article on elder abuse on the Canadian government website, between four and 10 per cent of seniors will face abuse.

Amy Cook, support services manager for LSCO, says unlike child abuse, there is no legislator against senior abuse.

“Unless someone has experienced a physical assault, a sexual assault or a traditional theft, there’s really no recourse within the criminal justice system.”

According to Cook, the most common types of abuse LEARN sees is financial and neglect.

With two case managers, LEARN has supported more than 100 seniors all over southern Alberta.

“They support Lethbridge, but they also support Cardston, Cardston County, Taber, County of Warner and Lethbridge County, so they support a very, very large area of people, which means that they’re always busy.”

Cook adds while their schedule is very busy, it also means people are getting the supports they need.

LEARN plans on using the donations to help those fleeing from abuse, as many of them are leaving with nothing.

“Although we have programs and supports in place to help people, there’s still things like buying underwear, buying snacks, buying comfort items that people aren’t often prepared to do when they flee situations.”

Along with advocating and providing supports for elder abuse, LEARN also aims to educate and provide awareness about elder abuse through engagements and events.

One of these events is a talent show being held on June 15, where seniors can share their talents, which in the past has included dancing, singing and playing of instruments.

Cook says events like this show the value seniors have in our community.

“Unfortunately, agism is alive and well and it’s the most commonly accepted ‘ism we have.”

She adds that through education she hopes to bring awareness about the value the elderly bring to the community as a whole.