Elder abuse advocacy
About elder abuse advocacy
ADA Australia provides information and individual advocacy support for older people living in residential care who are experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. Abuse may be:
- Physical: eg. pinching, squeezing, slapping, pushing or using restraints
- Psychological/emotional: eg. threats, humiliation, harassment, verbal abuse
- Financial: eg. forced changes to a will, transferring money or property, withholding funds, neglecting to pay bills
- Social: eg. restricting access to family, friends, activities or services
- Sexual: eg. any sexual activity to which the person has not consented
- Neglect: eg. abandonment, failing to provide the basic necessities of life and care
- Chemical: eg. over or under medicating
How we can help
We help people to uphold their rights and be heard in cases of potential or actual elder abuse. This may include help with:
- Understanding their rights
- Negotiating with formal or informal decision makers
- Deciding on an agreed action plan to reduce a person’s distress.
- Referral to appropriate support.
We can also help with representation at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Who is eligible
Eligible clients for this Elder Abuse advocacy service are adults over adults over 65 years who are:
- Residing in residential aged care; and
- Experiencing or at risk of experiencing abuse from their formal (Enduring Powers of Attorney) or informal decision makers, carers or friends
- Living in the areas where we work (see below)
Where we work
How we work
Independent
Confidential
We seek your permission before acting and follow strict confidentiality processes
Privacy
We take privacy seriously and can only communicate with our clients directly and the people they authorise us to talk to.
Client Directed
We don’t make decisions for you. We can help you understand your options and follow your direction.
Free
Individual
We work with each individual, to help give them a voice
Short Term & Issue Specifc
What we cannot help with
- Cases outside of the Greater Brisbane area (see eligibility above)
- Cases involving clients living in their own home or the community
- Financial advice
Resources
ADA Australia’s community legal service, ADA Law, offer a large collection of resources. Go to
ADA Law Elder Abuse Awareness resources
For more information, support and resources you can also visit Compass.info
Get support
This page will cover the following topics
- Ask for help for myself
- Ask for help for someone
- Book an education session
- Read advocacy stories
