- A new guide for interviewing older people at risk of harm launched today as part of WA Seniors Week
- The Guide has been developed by ECU researchers on behalf of Older People’s Rights Service, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre, and supported by Department of Communities
- One in six older Australians experience elder abuse
As part of WA Seniors Week, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Don Punch has today announced a new guide for interviewing older people at risk of harm.
The ‘Best Practice Guidelines for InterviewingOlder People at Risk of Harm'(the Guide)will give service providers the tools to have effective and meaningful conversations with older people who have experienced abuse.
The Guide was developed by the Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab at Edith Cowan University – with support from an advisory reference group – on behalf of the Older People’s Rights Service at Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre.
The Cook Government supported the development of the Guide through Department of Communities funding.
The Guide is the first of its kind and responds to research commissioned as part of the WA Strategy to Respond to the Abuse of Older People (Elders Abuse) 2019-2029.
It is intended to support legal and justice professionals, law enforcement, financial advisors, and other relevant service providers in interviewing older people at risk of harm.
One in six older Australians living in their own homes experience abuse – often from their adult children or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust.
The State Government has committed more than $1.9 million across the 2023-2024 financial year to tackle elder abuse through key initiatives including education, service delivery and awareness raising.
In April this year, the State Government launched Western Australia’s first Seniors Strategy.
The An Age-Friendly WA: State Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 is a whole-of-Government strategy to support older people to live their best life as they age.
WA Seniors Week runs from 12-19 November 2023, and celebrates the important role that seniors play in our community.
Comments attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
“Older Western Australians have the right to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect in our community.
“This guide will give service providers the tools to have effective and meaningful conversations with seniors at risk of harm.
“Ensuring older people feel at ease could be something as innocuous as mugs having large enough handles to comfortably hold, to looking at the bigger picture, and understanding that families have a complex history.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the team of researchers, industry experts and individuals who contributed to this important body of work.”
