Resource ● Last updated 9 January 2024 ● 4 min read
What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse
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What is this resource?
This fact sheet contains information about elder abuse. The focus of Justice Connect’s Seniors Law service is to provide education to health professionals about elder abuse and free legal assistance to people who are experiencing or at risk of elder abuse.
This resource contains information on:
- What is elder abuse?
- How can Justice Connect assist?
- Getting help
What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse definition:
“A single or repeated act or failure to act, including threats, that results in harm or distress to an older person. This occurs where there is an expectation of trust and/or where there is a power imbalance between the party responsible and the older person”*
There are three parts to this guide – planning for everyday life in older age, planning how to manage your finances as you age, and planning for end of life healthcare.
You don’t have to do all of the parts, and you can do them in any order.
It usually takes at least 30 minutes to complete each part.
This guide is designed to help navigate conversations about planning for older age, and works best with a facilitator and a group of peers. For example, you could ask your community group, social group, or seniors group to do a session with you. But you can also use this guide with one person you trust or by yourself.
However you choose to use it, take your time! And remember, you can always change your answers if you change your mind. It’s important to check your answers every 1-2 years to see if they still reflect what you want your life in older age to look like.
If your community group, social group, or seniors group would like Justice Connect to run a facilitated workshop for your members, please contact our Seniors Law team at seniorslaw@justiceconnect.org.au.
Elder abuse can occur in different ways
The most common form of abuse*, it can include insults, yelling, bullying, social isolation and threats, such as preventing a person from seeing their loved ones.
The improper use of a person’s property, possessions or finances by a person of trust. It can include theft or fraud, the misuse of a power of attorney or coercing a person into selling property, or entering into loans or contracts.
Any deliberate act resulting in physical pain or injury. This can be the use of unreasonable force, physical restraint, or the use of medication to over-sedate someone.
A failure to provide care, for example, a failure to provide a person with their medication.
Any behaviour of a sexual nature that is non-consensual.
How can Justice Connect assist?
- We can assist with free legal advice and assistance to eligible clients.
- We can give advice on and execute documents such as Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments Enduring Guardianship.
- We can also give advice on revoking or cancelling these documents.
- Assistance to challenge the appointment of a Guardian or Financial Manager.
- Advice about disputing loans, guarantees and mortgages.
- Advice about Apprehended Domestic or Personal Violence orders.
- Advice about Victims of Crime compensation.
Getting help
- In an emergency, contact the Police 000
- You can apply for help from Justice Connect at justiceconnect.org.au/help
- Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline for information, support or to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older people 1800 628 221 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
- Seniors Rights Service for advice about the abuse of an older person by relatives, carers, or professionals 1800 424 079 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
This resource was last updated on 9 January 2024. This is legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always contact a lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Please view our disclaimer for more information.
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