LAST Wednesday (15 June), McCrae Lighthouse was lit up in recgnition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
This was arranged by the Peninsula Advisory Committee on Elders (PACE) which works to prevent elder abuse and to ensure that all older people have a right to expect to be treated with respect and dignity.
Elder abuse covers actions that make older people feel threatened, unsafe, uncomfortable or in fear for their physical safety and can include assault.
It also includes financial abuse. For example, putting pressure on an older person to distribute their assets to family members, or to pay more for services than would be normal. All older people across age, gender and lifestyle may be vulnerable to elder abuse.
While most reports of elder abuse involve family members, people outside the family like paid caregivers, tradespeople, neighbours or acquaintances may also behave in a way that causes the older person to be threatened or made to feel uncomfortable. These actions might be intentional or unintentional. A tradesperson for instance, who puts pressure on someone to commit to more work than they originally wanted could lead to unnecessary financial pressure on that older person.
The important message for those who want to avoid abusing an older person, to avoid putting an older person under pressure is to listen to them. To ask them what they want. To respect their decisions and not work to make them change their mind. To not repeatedly ask them to do something that they have already said they do not want to do.
What family members, tradespeople, paid caregivers and others can do is to always think about what the older person needs and wants. To not assume that just because they are older, they are unable to think clearly or make decisions for themselves.
Even where someone has dementia or another form of cognitive impairment, they can be supported to make their own decisions within a framework of safety and respect.
We can work towards being a community where our older people are always made to feel safe and included. That means celebrating the contribution that people have made to our communities over a lifetime and the right they they have to live out their life in safety. One of the best ways of avoiding elder abuse is to ensure that people are connected within their community and are able to ask for help or support where they need it.
Ways in which we, as a community could show respect for older people and help them feel safe and included, could take the form of making an effort to talk to them, to find out what skills they have and can offer and what you might be able to offer them. Talk to them about their likes and dislikes, about how they could be involved in activities that you are organising, or that are happening around them in their community. If you have concerns that they are at risk of elder abuse you could talk to them about where and how they could get support.
All areas around the peninsula have Seniors Activity Centres. There are 13 community houses and a range of other legal and social support services that can support older people. Sometimes making those connections can be a bit daunting so we could all give some consideration to how that could be supported. Let them know what is available, offer to take them to an activity, spend some time just talking, ask them about their history, their lives and celebrate their achievements over those lives.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else call Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 24 June 2026
