What is Elder Abuse? How to deal with it

1. Elder Abuse Prevention
What is Elder Abuse?
• Any behaviour or action within a relationship of
trust that harms an older person. It includes:-
psychological,
financial,
physical,
sexual,
social abuse and neglect

2. Reporting Elder Abuse

3. Why Elder Abuse?
• As elders become more physically frail, they’re
less able to stand up to bullying and or fight back
if attacked.
• They may not see or hear as well, or think as
clearly as they used to.
• Mental of physical ailments may make them
more trying companions for the people who live
with them.

4. Elder Abuse Facts
Fact: older women are more likely to be abused
than older men…
Fact: Adult sons & daughters are the single biggest
category of abusers…

5. Physical Abuse
The infliction of pain or injury…
• This can include hitting, pushing, punching,
kicking, biting, scratching, shaking, slapping,
dragging, burning, inappropriately restraining or
confining,
• Inappropriately medicating
• Damage to property.

6. Physical Abuse
Look for…
• Unexplained signs of injury – bruises, scars etc.
• Drug overdose
• Broken glasses or frames
• Broken bones, sprains, dislocations
• Signs of being restrained
• Refusal to see the elder alone

7. Psychological Abuse
• Inflicting mental anguish through actions that
cause fear of violence, isolation or deprivation,
and feelings of shame and powerlessness.
• It may include verbal intimidation, humiliation or
embarrassment, shouting, bullying, threats of
physical harm, threats of institutionalisation,
withdrawal of affection (e.g. refusing access to
grandchildren), emotional blackmail, removal of
decision-making powers.

8. Sexual Abuse
• Unwanted sexual behaviour including rape,
indecent assault, sexual harassment or
inappropriate touching.
• Showing an elderly person pornographic
material, forcing the person to watch sex acts, or
forcing them to undress.

9. Financial Abuse
The illegal or improper use of an older person’s
finances or property.
• It may include stealing, misappropriating money,
forcing changes to a will or other legal
documents, denying access to personal funds,
forging signatures or misusing Power of Attorney

10. Power of Attorney
What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?
• An Enduring Po we r o f Atto rne y is a le g a l
d o c um e nt tha t o utline s who y o u wo uld like to
m a na g e y o ur a ffa irs ; s uch a s whe n y o u no
lo ng e r ha ve c a p a c ity to d o s o .
• Pe o p le c a n lo s e c a p a c ity fo r d e c is io n m a king fo r
re a s o ns s uch a s inte lle c tua l o r p s y chia tric
d is a bility, a c q uire d bra in injury, d e m e ntia o r
te m p o ra ry illne s s s uch a s d e lirium .

11. Power of Attorney
Who should make an Enduring Power of
Attorney?
• Lo s ing c a p a c ity d o e s no t jus t ha p p e n to p e o p le
who a re a g e ing . A lo s s o f c a p a c ity c a n ha p p e n
a t a ny tim e in a p e rs o n’s life a nd this lo s s m a y be
te m p o ra ry o r p e rm a ne nt.
• If y o u a re o ve r 1 8 a nd ha ve c a p a c ity to
und e rs ta nd the na ture a nd the e ffe c t o f the
p o we r y o u a re g iving a n Atto rne y, it’s im p o rta nt
y o u p la n fo r y o ur future by m a king a n Enduring
Po we r o f Atto rne y

12. Power of Attorney
What is an Attorney?
• An Atto rne y is the p e rs o n y o u no m ina te to
m a na g e y o ur a ffa irs . Yo u c a n ha ve m o re tha n
o ne Atto rne y. Atto rne y /s c a n be a p p o inte d to
m a na g e y o ur fina nc ia l m a tte rs a nd /o r y o ur
p e rs o na l a nd he a lth m a tte rs .
• Yo u c a n s p e c ify whe n y o ur Atto rne y /s p o we rs
be g in a nd y o u c a n a ls o s p e c ify wha t p o we rs
the y will ha ve . This is o fte n re fe rre d to a s the
‘lim its o f y o ur Atto rne y /s p o we rs '.

13. Power of Attorney
What does an Attorney for Financial Matters take
care of?
A fina nc ia l Atto rne y c a n p e rfo rm a ra ng e o f dutie s
s uch a s :
• ensuring your bills are paid
• preparing your tax returns
• managing your investments

14. Power of Attorney
What does an Attorney for Personal and Health
Matters take care of?
• An Atto rne y fo r p e rs o na l m a tte rs c a n a tte nd to
thing s s uch a s whe re y o u will live , who y o u will
live with a nd y o ur re c re a tio na l a c tivitie s .
• An Atto rne y fo r he a lth m a tte rs c a n a tte nd to
c e rta in m e d ic a l d e c is io ns , tre a tm e nt o p tio ns a nd
m e d ic ine s .

15. Power of Attorney
Is an Attorney accountable?
• An Atto rne y is p e rs o na lly a c c o unta ble fo r the ir
a c tio ns .
• If y o ur Atto rne y m ism a na g e s y o ur a ffa irs
whe the r d e libe ra te ly o r by ne g lig e nc e ; the y c a n
be he ld lia ble fo r the ir a c tio ns .
• This c a n inc lud e fa c ing c o urt p ro c e e d ing s to
re c o ve r m o ne y a nd e ve n c rim ina l cha rg e s .

16. Power of Attorney
Attorneys have been known to mismanage finances
The re ha ve be e n num e ro us ins ta nc e s o f fam ily o r frie nd s m ism a na g ing
the ir ro le a s Atto rne y.
• This c a n inc lud e s e lling a p e rs o n’s a s s e ts a nd re ta ining the m o ne y
fo r the m s e lve s a nd /o r tra ns fe rring o wne rship o f a s s e ts into the ir
nam e s .
• Whe n inve s tig a te d , c o m m o n re s p o ns e s a re 'Mum , wa nte d us to
ha ve the m o ne y '; 'Da d d o e s n't ne e d the m o ne y a nd we d o ' a nd 'The
m o ne y is no t d o ing the m a ny g o o d in the nurs ing ho m e a nd we ha ve
a m o rtg a g e to p a y '.
• Ex p e rie nc e sho ws the s e ty p e s o f re a s o ns a re g e ne ra lly no t
a c c e p te d by The Que e ns la nd Civil a nd Adm inis tra tive Tribuna l a nd
m a y re s ult in le g a l a c tio n a g a ins t the Atto rne y to re c o up m o ne y o n
be ha lf o f the p e rs o n with inc a p a c ity.

17. Financial Mismanagement

18. Neglect
• The failure of a carer to provide the necessities
of life to a person for whom they are caring.
• Neglect can be intentional or unintentional.

19. Intentional Neglect
• When an older person is abandoned or not
provided with adequate food, clothing, shelter,
medical or dental care, or where their spiritual
needs are not met.
• It also includes improper use of medication, poor
hygiene or personal care, or the refusal to allow
other people to provide adequate care.

20. Unintentional neglect
• When a carer does not have the skills or
knowledge to care for a dependent person.
• They may not be aware of the types of support
available, or maybe ill themselves and unable to
meet the person’s needs.

21. Social Abuse
Preventing a person from having contact with
friends or family, or access to social activities.
• It includes:-
intrusion,
isolation,
and preventing independence
by using threats,
manipulation
and control.

22. Healthcare Fraud & Abuse
Carried out by unethical doctors, nurses, hospital
personnel and other professional care
providers…It may include…
• Not providing healthcare, but charging for it
• Over-charging or double billing for medical
services
• Over medicating or under medicating
• Recommending fraudulent remedies for
illnesses or other medical conditions

23. Healthcare Fraud & Abuse
Look for…
• Duplicate billing for the same medical service
• Over or under medication
• Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid
• Problems with the care facility – poorly trained or
insufficient staff, crowding, inadequate
responses to questions about care

24. Warning Signs!!!
• Frequent arguments or tension between the
caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behaviour in the elder.

25. What you can do as a caregiver
If you are overwhelmed by an elder’s demands...
• Request help from friends, relatives or local
respite care agencies so you can take a break
• Find an adult day care program
• Adopt stress reduction practices
• Seek counselling for depression
• Find a caregivers support group e.g. Carers
QLD, 1800 242 636

26. What you can do as a friend or family member
• Watch for warning signs. If you suspect abuse,
report it to police
• Take a look at the elder’s medications – does
the amount match the prescription date?
• Scan bank accounts & credit card statements for
unauthorized transactions
• Call & visit as often as you can
• Offer to stay with the elder so the caregiver can
have a break

27. Seniors Legal & Support Service
The Cairns Community Legal Centre offers FREE
legal and support services for the benefit of
seniors (anyone 50+ years of age) who may be
affected by elder abuse or financial exploitation.

28. What Does the CCLC Seniors Service do?
• Provide information, advice & support.
• Provide short-term counselling.
• Provide information on your legal rights.
• Represent you in court or before tribunals.
• Refer you to other services…

29. How Do You get Help from CCLC?
• Assistance is by appointment only.
• Face-to-face appointments are available at
Cairns, Atherton, Mareeba, Innisfail & Mossman.
• If you are unable for a face-to-face meeting, a
telephone consultation me be arranged.
• For an appointment phone 1800 650 931
(free call)
• CCLC employs a solicitor & social worker for this
service.

30. CCLC Location
CCLC is located at:-
1st. Floor, Main Street Arcade, 85 Lake St., Cairns
Premises are wheelchair accessible

31. How can Relationships Australia Help?
RAQ in Cairns can offer:-
• General counselling services
• Victim Counselling & Support Service – sitting &
talking with a counsellor about difficulties you
are experiencing or any support you may
require. We also offer telephone counselling.