NEW COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM HELPS
PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF SENIORS
Christine Campbell, MP, Member for Pascoe Vale today announced that Hume-Moreland Primary Care Partnership has received a $70,000 grant to run a community awareness program to help protect and safeguard the rights of older Victorians in the Hume-Moreland region.
Ms Campbell said the aim of the program, which addresses the complex and sensitive issue of elder abuse, was to engage with older people, families, carers, seniors peak and representative organisations and regional stakeholders who provide support and services to senior Victorians.
Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional, social or psychological, and can include restricting contact with friends, ignoring older people’s health needs, or physical abuse.
“Hume-Moreland Primary care Partnership is one of nine regionally based Primary Care Partnerships to receive a $70,000 grant over two years to deliver information forums and workshops and to lead the development and establishment of elder abuse local agency response networks, “Ms Campbell said.
“Primary Care Partnerships are well placed to deliver the community awareness program because their membership includes representatives of local government and key service agencies with a role in responding to elder abuse.
“They also have demonstrated capacity to engage with a broad range of older people and seniors organisations.”
Mr Bruce Watson, Executive Officer of Hume-Moreland Primary Care, said “We are pleased to participate in the Victorian Government’s Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy by conducting information forums and workshops to increase awareness of elder abuse prevention.
“The funding received from the Office of Senior Victorians will help us to lead the development and establishment of elder abuse Local Agency Networks ensuring consistent interagency service protocols, practice guidelines and responses to incidents and alleged incidents of elder abuse”, Mr Watson said.
“Hume Moreland PCP will engage with older people, families, carers, older people’s peak and representative organisations and regional stakeholders to attend the forums and workshops. Hume Moreland PCP will liaise across the Local Government areas of Hume, Moreland, Whittlesea, Banyule, Nillumbik, Darebin, and Yarra”, Mr Watson said.
“The Victorian Government is promoting and supporting the safety, dignity and independence of senior Victorians”, Ms Campbell said
“Older people have the right to live safely in their homes, free from violence, abuse and neglect and exploitation. Senior Victorians have given so much to our state and our nation. Their rights, dignity and respect must be protected. We are working with service providers and the community to empower senior Victorians. This is the key to preventing elder abuse”, Ms Campbell said.
“And with this new community awareness program more people will be better informed on the issue and know what they can do about it.” Ms Campbell said.
The 1300 368 821 advisory service telephone line is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday. If someone is in immediate danger they should contact Victoria Police on 000.