The majority of older people live active and independent lives. However, older people can be vulnerable to abuse and exploitation from people who they trust, or should be able to trust.
Abuse can happen to older people who live in their own homes and to those who live in residential services (nursing homes and hostels). Abuse can be financial, physical, sexual, psychological or social or it may be due to neglect. It may be carried out by someone close to the older person such as a family member or acquaintance, or a worker or professional on whom they depend for care and support.
The Benevolent Society helps older people to live independently for as long as possible with dignity and respect. The Society is committed to upholding the rights of older people who receive community services from its staff and volunteers, or who live in its residential services, to be safe from abuse and exploitation.
Resources
The Benevolent Society has developed resources to help prevent the abuse of older people, increase awareness of abuse and to guide careworkers on how to respond if they see signs of abuse.
The Society's Model Policy on Preventing and Responding to Abuse in Residential Aged Care (revised August 2007) provides guidance for care staff and supervisors about signs of abuse and protocols about what to do in cases of physical or sexual abuse. This has been adopted by The Benevolent Society itself and is available for adaptation and use by other residential aged care services.
If you are concerned
If you are concerned that an older person may have been abused, talk to them and ask what help they want or contact someone you think can help. Sources of help and advice:
- the Police
- the Older Person's Legal Service (02 9281 3600 or 1800 424 079)
- the Domestic Violence Hotline (1800 656 463)
- doctors, community nurses and social workers
- an Aged Care Assessment Team (ring your nearest large hospital)
- the Guardianship Tribunal (if the person is not able to make decisions for themselves)
- a solicitor or Community Legal Centre (if worried about money or property)
- a migrant welfare organisation
- the manager (if the person is receiving community services or lives in a nursing home or hostel).
More information
- How could they? Information for older women about steps they can take to protect themselves financially in dealings with partners, famliy members or friends, Older Women's Network NSW.
- Are you experiencing violence or abuse? Legal Aid NSW, 2008
- Policies and procedures for preventing and responding to abuse: The Benevolent Society experience, 2007
- Interagency protocol for responding to abuse of older people, NSW Government, 2007.