Tag Archives: Elder Abuse Prevention Networks

Elder Abuse Prevention Networks Wraps Up

The Elder Abuse Prevention Networks are continuing to host community level events to provide information about elder abuse and mobilise the community in response.

Cobar Community Health – a member of the Macedon Ranges Elder Rights Network (one of the elder abuse prevention networks) organised a Know Your Rights Forum in Woodend in November. About 50 people attended and heard from a panel of speakers which included Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Older Victorians/Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention, Seniors Rights Victoria, Elder Rights Advocacy and Victoria Police. Gerard talked about the phases of ageing from retirement through starting to live with more complex issues and the importance of not becoming isolated from broader social support networks.

Another of the networks, South West Carer & Respite Services Network, is holding a Knitting Ninja’s Morning Tea this month.

The event, to be hosted by the Warrnambool Mayor Tony Herbert, will highlight the need for all in the community to challenge ageism and say NO to elder abuse. The celebration is the culmination of a yarn bombing project. It represents a true community level approach with participating groups including: Warrnambool Primary School; South West TAFE students; residents of Ingenia Gardens, Lyndoch Living and Heatherlie; and members of Warrnambool Bowls and Lawn Tennis Bowls Clubs, Rotary, Salvation Army and Mpower Warrnambool Carer Support Group. To view a video of the project go to Yarn Bombing.

The Think Impact action research being conducted as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention Networks and funded by the State Trustees Foundation Australia is almost complete. The research provides insights from more than 70 interviews conducted with community members and professionals about their perceptions of the drivers of elder abuse, activities of the current networks and possible directions for future research. Some of the key societal causes of elder abuse that were cited include: age discrimination, perceived or real diminished capacity of older people, and isolation/lack of connection. The report and a practice guide on primary prevention of elder abuse will be launched by Seniors Rights Victoria in February 2019.

Government names final elder abuse prevention sites

The last three elder abuse prevention networks have now been contracted by the Victorian State Government.

Merri Health will expand their coverage to work in partnership with the Western Health Integrated Model of Care for responding to suspected elder abuse. Frankston Mornington Primary Care Partnership will be part of the Peninsula Integrated Model of Care and Barwon Community Legal Centre will be leading network activities in Geelong and surrounding areas.

Elder Abuse Prevention Network (EAPN) Project Officer Alexia Huxley said some of the networks have been operating for over nine months now.

“We met recently to discuss the findings of the accompanying action research. This was the second report back and looked at evidence being collected from consultation with community members – including older people – about the drivers of elder abuse and how to work effectively in the community to raise awareness and prevent elder abuse,” Ms Huxley said.

For example, Merri Health Elder Abuse Prevention network, which was only launched in June, is now working in conjunction with local councils, neighbourhood houses and other agencies to plan activities for  Victorians against Violence (25 November-10 December) and capacity building for staff engaged with older people in the community so they are able to recognise and respond to elder abuse.

“The action research will be completed by Christmas and a framework to guide future work on primary prevention of elder abuse will be launched early in the New Year,” Ms Huxley.