Commitment stepped up to help prevent abuse of elderly people

24/8/97

The State Government has stepped up its commitment to help prevent the abuse of elderly people, Seniors Minister Rhonda Parker said today.

Mrs Parker was launching two initiatives designed to help Government agencies identify elderly people who are at risk from abuse by someone they trust.

The initiatives will also help agencies determine how to intervene more effectively.

"All seniors have a right to live in safety and without fear or exploitation," the Minister said.

"However, it is important to appreciate that elder abuse is not just about the criminal cases that reach the courts. It includes a wide range of incidences where a senior's right to live in safety and without fear are undermined."

Mrs Parker said the launch of Elder Protection - A Protocol for Government Agencies, gave Government service providers guidelines on how to deal with abuse cases.

She also announced that the Government would provide $150,000 to fund a pilot project to educate Government service providers in how to use the protocol.

"Elder abuse is the wilful or unintentional harm caused to a senior by a person or people with whom the senior has a relationship of trust," the Minister said.

"This person could be a friend, carer or relative and the abuse could be physical, sexual, financial, psychological or even neglect.

"However, any type of abuse on seniors is an unacceptable infringement on human rights which should be prevented."

Mrs Parker said there were few statistics available on elder abuse in Western Australia and, in that sense, elder abuse was a hidden problem.

"But WA has an ageing population and elder abuse and its prevention are growing concerns for the State Government," she said.

"We must assess what is happening in the community and educate service providers on how to identify the abuse and intervene effectively.

"Elder Protection - A Protocol for Government Agencies and the pilot project to educate service providers in the use of this protocol, are steps in the right direction."

The protocol was developed by the Council on the Ageing Elder Protection sub-committee, which includes representatives from the Office of Seniors' Interests, the Office of the Public Advocate, the WA Health Department, the WA Police Service and the Council on the Ageing (WA) Inc.

It advocates that unless proven otherwise, seniors are assumed competent to make informed choices and decisions about their own lives. It also recognises that the victim and the abuser have a right to fair and equitable treatment.

All relevant State Government agencies across WA will receive copies of the guidelines this week. The pilot project to educate Government service providers in the use of this protocol document will be managed by the Council on the Ageing.

The aim of the pilot program, which is expected to take 18 months, is to improve the access of seniors and the general public to appropriate elder protection advice.

Examples of elder abuse include:

Physical Abuse - the infliction of physical pain, injury or physical coercion including hitting, shoving, pushing, burning, as well as physical and chemical restraint.

Sexual Abuse - sexually abusive or exploitative behaviour, ranging from violent rape to indecent assault and sexual harassment.

Psychological Abuse - the infliction of mental anguish, including actions that lead to fear of violence, to isolation or deprivation, feelings of shame, loss of dignity or powerlessness. This could include treating the older person as a child, humiliation, emotional blackmail, blaming, swearing, intimidation, name calling and enforced isolation from friends or relatives.

Financial Abuse - the illegal or improper use of the older person's property or finances. Examples include misappropriation of money, valuables or property, forced changes to a will or other legal documents, and denial of the right of access to, or control over, personal finances.

Neglect - the failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical or dental care. This may involve the refusal to permit other people to provide appropriate care. Examples include abandonment, non provision of nourishing food, inadequate clothing or shelter, inappropriate use of medication (including over-medication) and poor hygiene or personal care.

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9481 7810