Seeking Help for Elder Abuse: What to Expect

Everyone, regardless of how old they are, deserves to feel safe and respected in their relationships.

If you’re feeling unsafe or scared around a specific family member, partner, friend, or caretaker, it’s critical to reach out for help. If there’s an older person you’re worried about, you may wish to reach out for help on their behalf or report the senior abuse they’re experiencing.

What happens when you reach out for help concerning elder abuse? In this article, we’ll outline what to expect when you contact our Senior Relationship Services hotline. To reach out for help or to report elder abuse in Queensland, please call the free Senior Relationship Services at 1300 262 032.

 

What happens when you reach out for help or report elder abuse?

When you’re experiencing abuse, reaching out can be hard – we understand, and support is available.

Our Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Service (EAPSS) is a free service for seniors in Queensland. EAPSS provides support and assistance to those at risk of, or currently experiencing, elder abuse. This service offers individualised support and referrals.

EAPSS supports folks 60 or older who live in Queensland and are at risk or experiencing elder abuse (or 50 or older for First Nations Peoples).

Here’s what happens when you reach out for help for elder abuse with the free EAPSS:

1. Receiving help for elder abuse starts with a phone call to EAPSS at 1300 262 032.
   1. You may also be referred by police or social workers.
2. A member of our team will speak with you about how we can best support you.
3. You’ll fill out a client registration form.
4. A case manager will screen your eligibility for the service.
5. You’ll sign a client agreement and consent form.
6. Your case manager will book a free session for you.
7. In your first session, your case manager may help you with:
   1. A case plan
   2. A safety plan
   3. Achievable goals
   4. Referrals to legal practitioners
   5. Elder abuse prevention strategies
   6. Referrals to counselling or family mediation as required
   7. Referrals to other relevant services that may help you achieve your goals.
8. Throughout your EAPSS journey, your case manager will evaluate your progress on your goals and case plan.
9. The EAPSS will help you to reach your goals and act to ensure your safety, wellbeing, and your rights.

 

Tips for reaching out about elder abuse

Reaching out for help about abuse can feel difficult or scary. Here are some tips from our SRS case managers for your first call with our elder abuse hotline:

• If possible, call when it’s safe to talk
• We will always call back from a private number
• The counsellor can help create a safety plan for you
• We can connect you with relevant services, including crisis resources
• You can share as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with.

Thank you so much for helping. I feel like I can breathe a little. I really appreciate your help as I have never been in this situation before.

-EAPSS Client in Gladstone, QLD

 

Thank you so much, you understood what I was going through and were there for me. I now have a nurse who contacts me once a month. Your team was so nice to me, too.

-EAPSS Client in Mackay, QLD

 

My case manager helped so brilliantly. It seems like she’s the perfect person for the job.

-EAPSS Client in Gladstone, QLD

 

When I first spoke to you two years ago, I had already called six different organisations – you were the first who was able to point us in the right direction.

-EAPSS Client in Rockhampton, QLD

 

I’m doing well – trying to be strong with boundaries. I understand that my personal journey in healing will be a long one and I can’t heal if I keep letting the same things happen. You have been incredible; you saw me through some of the hardest weeks of my life and I’m so very grateful for that. I’m still seeing a trauma therapist every week, which is giving me new skills.

-EAPSS Client in Gold Coast, QLD

 

Signs of elder abuse

Elder abuse is any abuse against an older person. Elder abuse may be:

• Sexual
• Physical
• Financial
• Coercive control
• Psychological or emotional
• Abuse in the form of neglect.

Financial abuse is the most common type of elder abuse.

Some signs of elder abuse include:

• Making you afraid
• Physically harming you
• Bullying or severe criticism
• Pressure to change your will
• Missing money or belongings
• Anxiety about a specific person
• Your health needs being neglected
• Being stuck in poor living conditions
• Limited access to your own finances
• Having to ask someone else permission
• Coercing you to take on responsibilities
• Restricted access to necessities like medical appointments, medication, or food.

You can read more about the signs of elder abuse.

 

Support for those experiencing elder abuse is available

If you or an older loved one are experiencing elder abuse, the Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Services (EAPSS) provides free counselling and safety resources for seniors. Ring our senior abuse hotline for a free, confidential chat at 1300 262 032.