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

Help researchers test culturally adapted, multilingual online resources

Are you a family carer of a person living with dementia? Are you from a culturally and linguistically diverse community group? We want your help to test our online resources in your language!
In memory of Efthymia (Mitsi) Kouris

The Kouris family invites friends and loved ones of Efthymia 'Mitsi' Kouris to leave a donation to the National Ageing Research Institute in lieu of flowers.
A new chapter for Professor Briony Dow and NARI

NARI would like to express its deepest thanks to Professor Briony Dow, whose leadership has shaped NARI’s role in the sector, leading to life-changing translational research projects and consumer-led innovation. After almost a decade leading the organisation, Professor Dow will step down from her role as Director in May 2024.
Research Officer/Fellow A: Closing date Sunday 17 December 2023

NARI is seeking a Research Officer/Fellow A to work in the Aged Care Division.

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.
Research participants

Make a difference in the lives of older people and those who care for them by volunteering to be involved in research.
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.
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.
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.
A Best Practice Model of Continence Care for Residential Aged Care

This research co-designed and evaluated a best practice model for delivering continence care in Australian residential aged care homes. The model helps residential aged care providers deliver high quality continence care that is consistent with the Aged Care Quality Standard.