If you need emergency services, please contact 000
Are you feeling burnt out? Consider aged care respite.
Looking for a rewarding career in aged care and ready to start now?
View our current retirement living homes for sale.
Search
Contact Us
Close
Services to keep you independent
Government-funded support
One on one care and support
Support to help you stay at home
Allied health support services
Everyone deserves a break
Government or privately funded
Connect with others
Help to access support services
Personalised care and support
14 locations across Victoria
Principles of Montessori
Tailored to individual interests
Helping everyone adjust
If you care for someone, we’re here
Maintain your quality of life
Here for people of all ages
Take a break and have some fun
All your questions answered
Independent living for over 55s
Our latest properties available
Inner Melbourne communities
Camberwell
Deepdene
Kew
Hawthorn
Toorak
Suburban communities
Clayton
Kyneton
Trentham
Eltham
Bacchus Marsh
Pakenham
Balwyn
Brunswick West
Greensborough
Torquay
Everyone deserves a home
services for 18+
Great places to call home
Reach your developmental goals
Pathways to paid employment
Small group programs
Stay independent at home
Get the best out of your NDIS plan
support for 13-18 year olds
Reach developmental goals
Fun programs for your teenagers
NDIS planning
programs for 0-12 year olds
Support for developmental delays
Fun programs for your kids
A school where your child can shine
About St Paul’s College
Prepare your child for school
View our for school policies
Commited to the safety of your child
Menu
Back
Enter your search term below
Blog
→
Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlights homelessness link
There was shock across the world when a former business manager of the late comic book legend, Stan Lee, 95, was arrested on financial elder abuse charges. It seemed extraordinary that such a respected and successful person was taken advantage of in this way.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated each year on 15 June to highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society.
Elder abuse, whilst seldom talked about, is more common than we know. It may be perpetrated by a family member, friend, neighbour or carer, and may take various forms, such as physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) says there is a growing acknowledgement of elder abuse as a form of family violence, but there is still a big disconnect when it comes to the highest incidence of abuse – financial.
Research undertaken by RSV has shown that financial abuse by a family member can result in an older person losing their home or their savings. Older Victorians, especially older women, are finding it increasingly difficult to find safe and stable accommodation and may be at risk of homelessness.
Elder abuse often leaves the victim ineligible for other forms of assistance, such as supported accommodation, due to assets they hold, or their bank balance. This is often not enough to pay for affordable private rental, which, according to SRV has declined 40% overall in the last decade.
While there is a residential aged care system it exists primarily to meet people’s care needs. Older people who are in good health and don’t have specific care needs may not be eligible for residential aged care. Also, it may not be what the older person wants, and it shouldn’t be their only option just because they find themselves priced out of the rental market.
VMCH believe older people have a wealth of knowledge and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
The purpose of World Elder Abuse Day is to raise awareness that it exists as a real issue in our community, and it can affect the livelihood of our most vulnerable residents. Our job, in residential aged care, is to work on how to best support the individual, to ensure they are safe while respecting their choices.
Sometimes the best we can do is be ready to listen.
There is a range of online resources about Elder Abuse. For more information, visit https://seniorsrights.org.au/
Website Design & Development by ID Digital Agency
Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide.
Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.