17th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Online Forum

Posted Saturday 20 April 2024 | Aged Rights Advocacy Service

Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) has held an annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) conference for the past 16 years, and this year, similar to the past two years, will be hosting the conference online, with ‘Building Resilience’ as the theme.

According to the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study 2021, one in every six people over the age of 65 experienced abuse during a 12-month period, whether it be psychological, neglect, financial, or physical, with only a third of the victims seeking help from a third party. Elder abuse is more likely to be perpetrated by a person who the older person trusts.

COVID-19 continues to create significant uncertainty in Australia, especially amongst older people. Staff shortages due to increased community transmission of COVID-19 have left many older Australians waiting for long periods for aged care services or with their aged care services being impacted significantly.

As we all continue to live through COVID-19 and the transition into the new ‘COVID normal’ era, we need to come together to support each other and build resilience to strengthen our service responses, continue to build community awareness to create the momentum for change and strengthen safeguards for vulnerable older people.

We can all do our part to improve the overall wellbeing of older Australians. The support of family, friends and community services can assist older people in retaining control of their lives, enhancing their wellbeing and helping them to maintain their independence at home. Together we can work together to ensure older people are aware of the supports available, and how to access them and

• build resilience to support older Australians experiencing abuse

• build resilience in safeguarding older Australians from abuse

• build resilience in providing a supportive environment, so older Australians have longer, healthier and more productive lives, free from abuse.