Preventing Abuse of Older People

Resources for Home and Community Care workers

A free training seminar for Home and Community Care (HACC) workers was hosted by STARS (Skills Training and Resource Service) and Marrickville Council. The workshop was held at Tom Foster Community Care, 11-13 Darley St, Newtown on 15 November 2010.

Attendees received resources and talks from experts to educate and assist workers in responding to abuse of older people. Topics covered included abuse protocols, the role of the Aged Care Assessment Team, financial abuse, services available, homelessness and older women, and dementia.

The seminar was the result of a partnership between STARS and Marrickville Council. Resources from the seminar have been published here as a reference for the community and aged care service providers.

Presentations

Abuse of Older People and Dementia (312KB, PDF)
A copy of the presentation by Mary Bill, Alzheimer's Australia NSW. Topics covered include an explanation of why dementia sufferers are more vulnerable to abuse, common forms of abuse including financial abuse and neglect, risk and contributing factors, abuse by carers, and prevention strategies.
Identifying and Responding to Abuse of Older People in NSW (144KB, PDF)
A copy of the presentation by Kaye McCulloch of St George Community Services. Lists various forms of abuse and the common signs associated with each type, and outlines how somebody should respond to and report abuse against older people.
Presentation on Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) (836KB, PDF)
Information on Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) and their role in assessing the restorative, physical, medical, psychological, cultural and social needs of people in care.
Presentation by Canterbury ACAT on abuse of older people (123KB, PDF)
Presentation by the Canterbury Aged Care Assessment Team. Lists various types of abuse, indicators of abuse, and contributing factors hindering detection of abuse.

Downloadable resources

It Could Be You: Female, Single, Older and Homeless (748KB, PDF)
This report documents a collaborative project which sought to interrogate the experience of older women and the reflection of that experience in policy. The project sought an inclusive homelessness definition, and to build a more robust knowledge base through which to inform policy and service delivery to this group.
Discussion Paper: The Disappearing Age (246KB, PDF)
A discussion paper by Ludo McFerran, consultant at Older Women's Network NSW on a strategy to address violence against older women.
Interagency Protocol for Responding to Abuse of Older People (421KB, PDF)
This protocol document sets expectations for NSW Government agencies and funded services regarding the need to be alert to the indicators of abuse of older people, and for responses to be timely and at all times in the best interests of the older person who has been abused.
Rosalie House, Leichhardt (10KB, PDF)
Information sheet on Rosalie House in Leichhardt, a special work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul that was previously known as St Dominics. It began and operated for 30 years as an accommodation service for people with mental health disabilities, before last year refocusing its services to caring for older women who have been victims of domestic violence.