Age Concern Tauranga

The Tauranga Age Concern co-ordinator has attended a conference in Wellington this month in light of elder abuse.

Elder abuse can happen in different ways. It can be threats or coercion; physical abuse – hitting older people, or locking them in; depriving them of social contact or not providing the care they need. It can be financial abuse – using their money or possessions without their consent.

Research by the ‘It's Not Ok' campaign has shown that New Zealanders want to help in family violence situations but aren't sure what to do, says Age Concern's elder abuse prevention expert, Louise Collins.

'Most of the elder abuse Age Concern sees happens in families, hidden from the rest of the community,” Louise says.

'Older people tell us that having someone else beside them, encouraging them to speak out, letting them know it is ok to ask for help, makes a huge difference.”

Elder abuse prevention is a specialist area, which Louise says makes this kind of specialist training invaluable.

She believes conference sessions around legal issues and also on delivery of service within Maori communities were especially beneficial.

'We hope staff will go back invigorated and having learnt new skills to improve their practice. They will also be more familiar with using the resources Age Concern New Zealand provide.”

Age Concern staff are at the frontline of dealing with older people in what are often complex and emotional situations.

Louise says the forum helped staff from Kaitaia to Invercargill make connections, put faces to names and know who to call for support and advice.