Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV), the key service dedicated to preventing and responding to elder abuse within Victoria, has launched a new professional education program which will provide organisations with the tools they need to identify incidents of elder abuse and act appropriately.
A three-hour module entitled ‘Recognising and Responding to Elder Abuse’ can be delivered in-person throughout Victoria, or online, and can also be tailored for an organisation’s specific needs.
Seniors Rights Victoria said it seeks to initially engage with home care providers including managers, team leaders and staff before the module is rolled out more extensively to other sectors and industries.
Chief executive Chris Potaris said, “Elder abuse impacts one in six older Australians.
“We’re thrilled to be introducing this much-needed, revised education program to support professionals working with older Victorians.
President Robert Caulfield said, “We’ve had countless requests for professional education about recognising and responding to elder abuse within the last year alone.
“We’re very pleased to be able to offer these revitalised sessions.”
Seniors Rights Victoria has been delivering professional education across Victoria for nearly ten years.
This revised module will improve the capacity of professionals to identify and respond to elder abuse and includes a mix of case study discussion, well-researched content, and time to apply learnings.
Upon completion of a session, participants will be empowered to define the relationship between ageing, ageism, and elder abuse, identify the different types of elder abuse and indicators, integrate ways to work with an older person, identify who is at risk or being subjected to elder abuse, respond individually and organisationally to incidences of elder abuse, work with diverse populations, and be able to seek external support and assistance.
A comprehensive manual will be provided to supplement the module; those attending will be invited to participate in activities to deepen their understanding of the topic.
Expressions of interest for professional education sessions can now be made on the Seniors Rights Victoria website.\
Details at: Education Coordinator Gary Ferguson on +61 3 9655 2112 or via email at gferguson@seniorsrights.org.au.
If you or someone you know in Victoria is experiencing elder abuse, help is available through Seniors Rights Victoria’s confidential helpline on 1300 368 821.
To call SRV using an interpreter, phone the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450.
For nationwide assistance, and to access additional resources in 20 different languages, please contact the Australian Human Rights Commission on 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374).
If it is an emergency, call 000.
