HAMILTON, Ontario–Age Safe® Canada, a national training and advocacy organization dedicated to making the lives of seniors aging at home safer is proud to announce its relationship with Mohawk College. Mohawk will be adding the Senior Home Safety Specialists (SHSS) certificate to their Continuing Education offering. The Senior Home Safety Specialist course empowers professionals with actionable ways to better help educate clients, older adults and their family members on the serious issues of home safety, fall prevention, financial exploitation and personal safety.

“I believe that introducing these important topics around senior safety, communication, security, accessibility and falls prevention to students will go a long way into ensuring the care industry is well positioned for the impact of our aging population and their housing needs”

“We are excited about the launch of the SHSS within Mohawk College,” said Peter Kalra, President and CEO of Bay Area Health Trust, which licensed the rights to Age Safe® in Canada. “Ensuring that graduates interested in the growing field of Seniors Care and Aging at Home have a good grasp of real-life scenarios is a very important goal for us.”

“Mohawk College is pleased to partner with Age Safe Canada to support continuing education and training in senior care,” said Alison Horton, Vice President, Academic, for Mohawk College. “The Senior Home Safety Specialist program offers people an opportunity to improve their skills and understanding in this important area of community care, as Canadian society strives to support our aging population.”

Mohawk students interested in the program will be able to access the course through Mohawk’s online learning platform. Upon completion, Age Safe® Canada will award them the Senior Home Safety Specialist certificate.

Bay Area Health Trust is in discussions with multiple national associations, homecare companies and others involved in the Aging at Home, Seniors’ care sector to include the Senior Home Safety Specialist™ certification as part of their offering to membership and employees.

“I believe that introducing these important topics around senior safety, communication, security, accessibility and falls prevention to students will go a long way into ensuring the care industry is well positioned for the impact of our aging population and their housing needs,” said Jim Closs, National Director of Age Safe Canada.

Many prominent organizations in Canada are now offering the SHSS as part of their internal professional development, including the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the Ontario Society of Therapists. Many healthcare companies are also considering the program for employee on-boarding. In the US, leading organizations offer continuing education units for the SHSS, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) the American Kineseotherapy Association (AKTA), American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and the American Occupational Therapy  Association (AOTA).