Elder Mediation Australasian Network - EMAN

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/calls-for-elder-financial-abuse-to-be-part-of-royal-commission/10257810

It will be several weeks before the terms of reference for the newly-announced royal commission into aged care will be finalised.

The commission is likely to focus on the services provided in aged care facilities, but some in the sector are calling for it to be widened to include financial abuse of older Australians – an often under-reported issue most commonly perpetrated by family members.

On 20 June 2018 the South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing introduced the Office for the Ageing (Adult Safeguarding) Amendment Bill 2018 Office Safeguarding Amendment Bill 2018 PDF  into the Legislative Council, following through on the Government’s election commitment to progress legislation to safeguard the rights of vulnerable adults. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to combat ageism by challenging the way ageing is framed in the language and structure of the services the government delivers.

FMC launched the Respecting Elders Program approximately a year ago. The program aims to provide support for people experiencing abuse and is funded via a philanthropic grant and more recently we received some state funding.

Download  Respecting Elders Report PDF file

What’s unique about this data set is that it’s drawn from 200 cases of actual abuse on older people who have approached us for support. It is also distinct from most other reports in that our services are based on a family systems approach rather than legal support or advocacy service. The attached report summarises our findings from the data and includes a list of considerations formed from our extensive experience in working with older people experiencing abuse. You may be particularly interested in the section on a joint Federal/State approach to delivering services within the existing infrastructure. Also, there is an interesting link with financial counselling services that even surprised us.

I think the report provides a new perspective on this important issue.

Don’t hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss this report further.

Should any of your staff need to refer or discuss a client please contact FMC’s Respecting Elders program on 1800 214117

The link above is for a You Tube video made by Legal Services SA for APEA (the Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse). It features advice from the 5 member agencies of APEA.

2018 Bristol Summit Registration now available
Check out the latest information on the upcoming EMIN World Summit in Bristol, England. The Summit registration form is now available online at:
https://elder-mediation-international.net/bristol-england-2018/

ADRAC gratefully acknowledges the suggestions and input of Associate Professor Dale Bagshaw who kindly reviewed this paper.

At present, all DR processes are available to any member of the community, regardless of age. This article concentrates on the use of what is called Elder Mediation for disputes involving older people because it is the most widely used DR process in this context.

http://www.adrac.org.au/adr-mapping/dr-older-people-and-elder-mediation 

Rae Kaspiew, Rachel Carson and Helen Rhoades, Research Report No. 35 — February 2016.           https://aifs.gov.au/publications/elder-abuse                   This Report is now published on the Australian Institute of Family Studies website and provides an overview of elder abuse in Australia – including its characteristics, context, and prevention.

The South Australian Office for the Ageing (OFTA) has developed a public awareness campaign on safeguarding the rights of older South Australians and elder abuse. The campaign aims to safeguard older people against elder abuse and to help the South Australian community to recognise the signs and to take action if they suspect abuse is occurring.

Website address: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/stopelderabuse

Family Mediation and Counselling Victoria and Benetas have launched a Seniors Mediation Program. Seniors Mediation is a unique type of mediation for elderly people and their families that uses a non-adversarial approach to resolving conflict or making important decisions. Contact: andrea.mcdougall@benetas.com.au

Seniors Victoria (page 3) has provided good coverage of research into elder mediation as a potential strategy to protect older people from financial abuse by their adult children – http://www.thesenior.com.au/News/Digital-Paper/Victoria

Here is a link to the Older People Clinical Network webpage where you will find the draft SA Health Services Plan for People with Dementia (and Delirium). The Older People Clinical Network welcomes any comments your may have on the plan.

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+reform/clinical+networks/older+people+clinical+network