History of Advocare
This year marks the 10th year that Advocare has been in the business of providing independent advocacy and support to older people and people with disabilities. While the service had its beginnings in 1997 as a part of Anglican Health & Welfare Services (Anglicare), it was only formally launched as an independent body in July 2000. The inaugural Board was chaired by Harry Sorensen and the first Coordinator/Manager was Ms Maureen Helen.
In these early days Advocare was funded under the National Aged Care Advocacy Program to provide services to clients in residential care, and the Home and Community Care Program (HACC) for those who are eligible to receive community support services. However, it wasn’t long before their work expanded and, once more funded by HACC, the abuse prevention program was developed. This service met a need in the community and it continues to be funded, now under the name of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program.
Education, information and advocacy are provided all around WA by way of visits to regional centres to present seminars. There is a satellite office in Geraldton and, at regular intervals, advocates travel to the southwest. As it was of concern that few Aboriginal people were accessing HACC services, 2002 saw the development of the Aboriginal Access Project and this, too, has flourished over the decade. In 2005 it became the Aboriginal Access Program with two dedicated advocates making regular visits to Aboriginal communities all around the state in the provision of education, information and advocacy.
Networking and information sharing is an important part of the work of Advocare. It serves to increase awareness of the need for advocacy, and also allows for the staff at Advocare to keep abreast of new issues and new approaches to service provision. Advocare is actively involved in the Australian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. At a state level it is member of the Western Australian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the Seniors Alliance, and funds a part time executive officer for the Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
Sometimes these networks have led to strong, formalized partnerships, such as the Older Person Rights Service, a cooperative venture jointly operated by Advocare and the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre. This is now in its third year of operations and there is an expectation that in the future this service will also become an autonomous agency.
Through their day to day contact with clients and the staff who provide care, the advocates at Advocare have developed a strong understanding of the need for older people and people with disabilities to have their rights supported and upheld. Advocare takes every opportunity to promote this with funders and decision makers. In its first year of operation Advocare made a submission to the WA Ministry of Justice and has since made other submissions to inquiries by the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees. Where knowledge was lacking, Advocare has initiated its own inquiries, in 2002 it conducted a research project to ascertain incidence and prevalence of elder abuse in WA and, more recently, a pilot study with the intent of gaining a better understanding of the experience of elder abuse.
In an ideal world there would be no need for Advocare to provide support and advocacy for older people and people with disabilities. But while there is a need, Advocare proudly wears the badge of supporter and advocate. It stands ready to meet the challenges of the next 10 years.
