Elder abuse

World elder abuse awareness day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is held each year on the 15th of June. The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse 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'. It takes many forms, including financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect.

NARI conducts a broad program of research into elder abuse and produces a range of resources on this important issue. Our recent work includes:

Analysing seven years of data from an elder abuse helpline in Victoria
Co-designing and piloting the Australian Elder Abuse Screening Instrument (AuSI)
Developing films to highlight best-practice responses for elder abuse in the context of dementia
The primary prevention of family violence among older people living in Victoria.

NARI is hosting a special Seminars in Ageing webinar to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day showcasing these research projects and resources specifically focused on elder abuse.

Find out more about the webinar

Elder abuse and dementia

These three short films demonstrate how to respond where the carer abuses the person with dementia; where the person with dementia abuses their carer; and where there is unintended neglect related to advancing dementia. They were co-produced with providers and older people, with funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation. Read more

Elder Abuse Community Action Plan for Victoria

In collaboration with the elder abuse sector, NARI developed the first action plan specifically to assist the Victorian community to tackle elder abuse. Read more

Elder abuse in Victoria: An analysis of 7 years of data

With funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation, in collaboration with Senior’s Rights Victoria (SRV), NARI analysed seven years of data to better understand elder abuse in Victoria. Read more

Elder Abuse: The older person’s experience

NARI worked with Seniors Rights Victoria to better understand the older person’s experience of elder abuse, the interventions used to address elder abuse and the outcome of these interventions for older people. Read more

No More Shame study

The No More Shame study aims to address the stigma of elder abuse by improving its recognition, response, and referral by health providers. This intervention will comprise a co-designed training program for health providers who work with older people in hospitals. Read more

Primary prevention of family violence among older Victorians

NARI is working with older people, carers, other family members, service providers and key stakeholders to co-design and pilot an intergenerational intervention for the primary prevention of elder abuse. Read more

The Australian Elder Abuse Screening Instrument (AuSI)

We co-designed the Australian Elder Abuse Screening Instrument (AuSI) with health, aged care, and legal services. Pilot testing showed mixed results. The tool is still in development. Read more

Latest

Conversations on Ageing: Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AC

We were honoured to host Professor Peter Doherty, Nobel Prize Laureate, as our inaugural conversationalist on 22 June 2022. Watch the recording as Professor Doherty talks about how older people can contribute to public discourse on ageing and identity.
Conversations on Ageing: Ageism and Human Rights for Older People

Geraldine Doogue AO and Patricia Sparrow joined us as our conversationalists on 4 May 2023 to talk about human rights and ageing - watch the conversation here.
Wei-Hsuan (Michelle) Chiu

Michelle is a Research Assistant within the Aged Care Division of NARI. She is also a PhD candidate at the Melbourne Medical School of the University of Melbourne and holds an honorary position at Neuropsychiatry of the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Michael Tandora

Michael Tandora became a Director of the NARI Board in May 2023. He has practised as a commercial litigation solicitor since 2004. He is a Special Counsel at the Australian law firm Mills Oakley. He has also worked at international law firms Ashurst, Baker McKenzie and King & Wood Mallesons.

Falls risk for older People in the community: FROP-Com

The Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com and FROP-Com Screen) are tools used in the community for assessment or screening of falls risk.
What is the Seniors Exercise Park?

The Seniors Exercise Park is an outdoor exercise equipment includes multiple stations specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function.
Indigenous Cognitive Assessment: Regional and Urban KICA

The regional and urban KICA is an instrument to assess dementia in older Aboriginal people in regional and urban settings.
Age-positive language guide

As part of our commitment to combatting ageism, NARI has developed an age-positive language guide. The guide provides practical examples of how words, phrases, and images can better portray older people and combat ageism.
Victorian falls and balance service directory

The Victorian Falls and Balance Service Directory provides details of the clinics and programs operated by public hospitals and community health services in Victoria for older people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling.
BEFRIENDAS

BEFRIENDAS investigates the impact of befriending on levels of depression, anxiety, social support and loneliness in older people living in residential aged care when provided by trained volunteers.
Grief in Older People and its Effect on Healthcare Use

Examines the effects of grief in older people on healthcare use from the perspective of (a) the older bereaved person who is experiencing grief and (b) GPs who are treating grieving older people.
Elder abuse and dementia

These three short films demonstrate how to respond where the carer abuses the person with dementia; where the person with dementia abuses their carer; and where there is unintended neglect related to advancing dementia. They were co-produced with providers and older people, with funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation.
Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers

NARI has mental health tips and strategies to help aged care workers and managers best handle stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, to optimise wellbeing.
How to stay active at home - Exercises for older people

NARI's exercise videos can help older people stay active at home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when you may not be as physically active outdoors. The exercises were developed by allied health professionals with expertise in exercise for older people.