Do you suspect elder abuse?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is held each year on 15 June. There is support available for older Tasmanians and their families.

Elder abuse can take many different forms. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, financial or emotional, or it can result from neglect.

The World Health Organisation defines it as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”

According to the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study (2021), around one in six older Australians experienced elder abuse in the past year. In half of reported cases, the person responsible was a family member, while two in three people who experience elder abuse do not seek help.

Elder abuse can be hard to identify, as the signs are often subtle and may be mistaken for ageing or illness. If the person being abused is afraid or ashamed about their situation, they may actively hide it.

Getting help

If you think a life is in danger, always ring the Tasmania Police emergency service on 000.

If you’d like to ask questions or find out more information about elder abuse, we recommend you contact the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline.

It is a free and confidential service that is operated by Advocacy Tasmania on behalf of the Tasmanian Government. Please ring 1800 441 169 between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

The Helpline website is an excellent source of information about the warning signs of elder abuse. There is also a section with real life examples of different situations that Tasmanians have faced.

Other avenues for information and support

Tasmania Legal Aid provides a Senior Assist service that focuses on elder abuse. Ring 1300 366 611 and ask for this service.

The Council on the Ageing Tasmania (COTA Tas) has been advocating for older Tasmanians since 1964. There is a wealth of information about ageing with dignity, including programs and events across the state. You can also ring them on (03) 62 31 3265.

Advocacy Tasmania provides general help and advice to older Tasmanians. Ring 1800 005 131.

Anglicare Tasmania’s financial counselling service supports people of all ages who are experiencing financial abuse. Telephone the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and you will be connected with a friendly and understanding Anglicare team member.

Find out about the work of the Age Discrimination Commissioner and the Australian Government’s National Plan to end the abuse and mistreatment of older people 2026-2036 on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Anglicare’s aged care services

Anglicare Tasmania provides in-home aged care to Tasmanians across the state.

We encourage them to stay socially connected in their local communities.

Every year, our team members complete mandatory training on how to detect the warning signs of elder abuse. They provide sensitive and confidential support to clients who think that they, or someone they know, might be being abused.

We support people to report their situation to police, if this is what they want to do.

If you’d like more information, please speak to a friendly Aged Care team member by ringing 1800 466 300.