15 June marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This worldwide day, launched by the United Nations in 2011, focuses on the importance of the rights of older people.
This year Relationship Australia WA’s Peel Senior Relationship Service will be hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Forum to raise awareness of elder abuse.
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, emotional, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
Rates of elder abuse are under reported, but the Australian Institute of Family Studies estimates up to 14 per cent of older people in Australia are affected.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 15 June
Time: 9.30am – 1.00pm
Location: Peel Thunder Clubrooms, Dower Street, Mandurah.
RSVP: Registrations are now closed
The event will feature guest speakers and information booths with resources from Senior service providers including Aged Care Assessment Team, Advocare, Council of the Ageing (COTA), Cycling without Age Mandurah, LiveUp WA Team, Mandurah Seniors Centre/Dandjoo Kaadadjan Mia, Peel Community Legal Service, Elders Rights WA, Peel Senior Relationship Service, WA Seniors Card Centre and the WEAAD Working Group.
Manager of Relationships Australia WA’s Peel Senior Relationship Service Charmaine Kennedy said it is important to raise awareness about elder abuse.
“We need to ensure older people are respected and included within our community,” Ms Kennedy said.
“‘Elder abuse is everyone’s business.”
Ms Kennedy said warning signs of elder abuse may include an older person seeming fearful, anxious or isolated. There may be injuries, an absence of personal care, or unexplained changes to legal documents or finances.
“It is important that we work together to prevent against the mistreatment and harm occurring in their communities and give older people the right to make decisions about their life.”
The Peel Senior Relationship Service is a Case Management and Mediation service supporting older people and their families living in the Peel region , to find solutions to age-related issues.
If you are experiencing elder abuse, or concerned about an older person, you can get help by calling Peel Senior Relationship Service on 6164 0173 Monday to Wednesday, from 9 am to 5 pm, or by visiting www.relationshipswa.org.au/PSRS
To find out more about Peel Senior Relationship Service please visit the service page here.