Elderly abuse in the spotlight

With the Royal Commission on aged care underway, the spotlight is on how to educate and protect society’s most vulnerable.

To help safeguard seniors in Canterbury-Bankstown, a Seniors Safety Workshop will be held next week. It will cover:

Presentations will be given by the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit, Seniors Rights Services, Fire + Rescue NSW, Bankstown Police DV Unit and Bankstown Women’s Health Centre.

Seniors Rights Services Manager of Education and Community Projects, Diana Bernard, said sometimes the abusers were people closest to the victims.

“Some abuse can be by family members, pressuring them to sign documents, become guarantors, and having them sign over the family home, or they would be told they will not see their grandchildren,” she said.

“This session will help give a broad perspective on elder abuse in terms of the types of abuse, the perpetrators, the supports available, and how to protect themselves and their friends from being vulnerable.”

Mayor Khal Asfour hoped, by the end of the workshop, the community would have a sound understanding on elder abuse.

“Our seniors number more than 27,000 in Canterbury-Bankstown and it is everyone’s responsibility to try and protect them,” he said.

“The abuse of the elderly violates basic legal and human rights. Older people should be able to live with dignity and security, and be free from any type of abuse.

“That is why it’s vital everyone can identify signs of elder abuse, understand basic laws around carers, learn about increased safety in their homes, and increase their knowledge on healthy living.”

The Seniors Safety Workshop will be held at Bankstown Sports Club (Grand Ballroom), from 9am-1pm on Monday 25 February.