Elder Abuse Prevention Services

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is described as any act by a member of a family, or someone within a relationship of trust, which results in harm to an older person. It can be emotional, psychological, financial, physical or sexual abuse, or even neglect. When your trust is abused, we can help you find a solution. Better Place Australia elder abuse prevention services support older people in resolving conflict with family or carers and preventing elder abuse. It ensures you have a voice in your decision-making and you are supported throughout this process.

Please note, As of August 2023, the Victorian Government is defunding 70% of the elder abuse specialist positions in Victoria. For referrers and enquiries about the integrated model of care (IMOC) service ceasing mid-August 2023, Better Place Australia can provide Elder Abuse Specialist Services through the following local government areas (LGA). Click here for more details.


How does this service help?

The Respecting Elders program provides an opportunity for you to talk freely with your family members or carers (through an advocate or on your own) about your wishes in a supportive environment.

This allows you to have a voice in decisions regarding your own care and future. It also helps preserve relationships while allowing all parties to reach resolution and promote better outcomes for future decision making.

We also aim to empower you to resolve family differences to stop or prevent Elder Abuse. While legal options are available, they are often expensive, adversarial and could have a negative effect on your family relationships.

There are many areas which we can assist you in:

  • Money or property missing
  • Being forced to change your will or sign a power of attorney
  • Being neglected and feeling isolated
  • Feeling scared to tell others what you want
  • Being verbally or physically assaulted
  • Your wishes not being respected or ignored
  • Someone keeping your friends and family away
  • No longer feeling happy in your life
  • Preserving a relationship with a difficult adult child
  • Feeling you have little control over your life.

Who is it for?

For older people and their families.

How does it work?

A Better Place Australia family consultant will confidentially meet with you to discuss your individual situation and formulate a plan of care.

We use combination of services to empower you to achieve a positive outcome to your situation. Services include:

  • Advocacy/ Support
  • Counselling/ Coaching
  • Facilitated family meetings
  • Financial counselling
  • Mediation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Agreement formulation between concerned parties where appropriate.

We can also provide a financial counselling service to assist with debt, guarantor or other money issues.

Most importantly, the service will support you to make your own decisions on matters that are important to you: where you live, how you spend your money, what happens if you fall ill and end of life care.

Any conversations you have with the Respecting Elders Service are confidential and handled with understanding of the complex aged care system and age related issues.

The consultant will be guided by your desired outcomes and wishes. They can meet with family or carers and facilitate meetings on your behalf.

The three main types of elder abuse

Physical Elder Abuse

Learn about the types of physical elder abuse

 

Psychological elder abuse

Learn about psychological or emotional elder abuse types

 

Financial elder abuse

Learn about the types of financial elder abuse

Where to begin

We will have a face to face consultation with you to establish your concerns and wishes. We will also have phone contact with any other party if needed.

What do I do now?

If you feel that your situation would benefit from the Respecting Elders service, or you would just like more information, please call 1800 214 117 or email us with your contact details.

Other supporting services from Better Place Australia for older people

We also offer further support services including Facilitated family meetings and Mediation for older people and their families.

Elder abuse support service

An older person-centred service supporting older people  in conflict and experiencing elder abuse

 

Financial counselling

Providing information, advocacy and guidance through financial hardship and unexpected life changes.

 

Counselling

Counselling support to manage difficult life circumstances and conflict with family, carers or friends.

 

Learn more

Read the discussion paper summary of the experience and practice observations of Better Place Australia in responding to elder abuse through the Respecting Elders service. Part of the research by the Centre for Better Relationships (CBR).

Read the op-ed about the need for encouraging the inclusion of older people in society, a part of the research conducted by the Centre for Better Relationships.

Read more about the research by the Centre for Better Relationships into coercive control.

Read more about the Centre for Better Relationships Respect My Home Program, a new model of care for elder abuse survivors and perpetrators.

Centre for Better Relationship is the research arm of Better Place Australia.

Service Areas

Elder abuse support services in the Geelong region

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