Learn to recognise signs of abuse against seniors

In the lead-up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June, the Mildura Rural City Council and Seniors Rights Victoria are teaming up to host free information sessions.

The aim is to educate the community about the mistreatment, neglect and abuse that many older people experience.

Two free educations sessions planned for Wednesday 5 June at Powerhouse Place will provide community participants and professionals with the tools they need to make a difference in our community.

The Community Education Session – Planning Ahead for Seniors, will run from 10.30am to midday, before the Professional Education Session – Recognising and Responding to Elder Abuse gets underway from 1pm to 2.30pm.

The first session will feature Gary Ferguson from Seniors Rights Victoria discussing how to protect your rights as you grow older, while covering practical ways to plan for the future in an interactive session for seniors.

Those who attend the free session will receive a free ‘Take Control’ resource kit, with light refreshments available.

Session 2, meanwhile, is aimed at professionals only, and will cover protecting the rights of older people to prevent elder abuse.

Ferguson will return to discuss different types of elder abuse, risks and how to respond and prevent it. This free session is open to those whose work brings them into contact with older people in the community.

Councillor for Community Health and Wellbeing Troy Bailey encouraged the community to attend the events and arm themselves with valuable knowledge and resources.

“In Australia, one in six people aged over 65 years will be abused or mistreated in any given year,” Bailey said.

“Elder abuse comes in many forms. It can be financial, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or social. Elder abuse can occur once or many times and can vary in severity from subtle to extreme.

“The fact is, older people have the same rights as everyone else. They have the right to be treated fairly, feel safe in their home and live with dignity and self-determination.

“These sessions aim to arm our community with the resources and information they need to avoid this harm, or find the help they need when they need it.”

Ritchelle Drilon

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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

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