Ready to Listen. Be Ready to Act on Elder Abuse – webinars

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This webinar series Ready to Listen. Be Ready to Act. was presented on the 15, 16 and 22 June, 2022 to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day/week activities, statewide. The focus of this series was to bring greater awareness to elder abuse, recognising the signs and knowing what to do – as members of the public, aged care staff and practitioners – particularly in addressing the incidence of sexual abuse in residential care.

Here are the three webinars in the series developed for community members and health/aged care professionals.

The abuse of older people is everybody’s business, and silence is its biggest ally. Advocare’s Advocates hear about abuse every day in their work. It can be a combination of financial, neglect, psychological, social, physical and the most challenging silent form of all – sexual abuse or assault.

(NOTE: These webinars contain themes of and references to sexual intimacy and sexual assault. Discussion of such topics may cause emotional reactions to trauma.)

1. Ready to Listen: Q&A Follow-up Forum about Elder Abuse

(for community and health/aged care professionals)

Our expert panel talks about the myths surrounding elder abuse and sexual assault of older people in care and field your questions.

As a community member, you don’t have to be a counsellor, just be a better friend, neighbour, family member to an older person you care about. For staff working with older people it’s about being vigilant and recognising the signs and knowing what to say and what to do. Be ready to listen.

2. Ready to Listen: preparing for action against Elder Abuse

(for health and aged care professionals)

Sexual assault in aged care is real and the occurrences of these assaults are much more frequent than statistics might show us. Under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) residential aged care providers are responsible for reporting all incidents that are considered unlawful and inappropriate – suspected, alleged and/or witnessed.

During this webinar you’ll learn about:

  • The Guide to Improving Responses to and Preventing Sexual Assaults in Residential Aged Care
  • A Guide for Service Providers on Reporting to the Police
  • The #ReadyToListen Charter of Sexual Rights and Responsibilities in Residential Aged Care: A Guide for Residents and Staff

SERVICE PROVIDERS: Access the Ready to Listen resources discussed e.g MAPS.

3. Ready to Listen: raising community awareness about Elder Abuse

(for community members, family, carers, friends of older people in residential care)

You don’t have to be a counsellor, just be a better friend, volunteering visitor, neighbour or family member to an older person you care about. Know the signs of elder abuse. Be ready to listen.

In this webinar you’ll learn:

  • How to recognise elder abuse
  • How to respond to elder abuse
  • Safeguarding strategies
  • Tips to communicating effectively
  • Where to find useful information and resources

Advocare’s series was inspired and guided by Dr Catherine Barrett, who’s led the study and development of tools in this area of sexual abuse in residential care for over a decade for the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and the federal Department of Health.