Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An updated state elder abuse prevention strategy will soon be released, Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch says.
This will be helped by a $850,000 contribution in next financial year's budget.
Mr Jaensch said the money would be used to create a contemporary community awareness campaign and on a new website to help streamline referrals.
He said the money would be spent on training for people who worked in the aged care sector and on a review into safeguarding measures for older Tasmanians.
"This funding will also assist implementation of the national plan to respond to abuse of older Australians," Mr Jaensch said.
He said the statewide Elder Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee had been instrumental in the development of the updated strategy.
Elder abuse takes many forms including misuse of Power of Attorney and guardianship powers, forced changes to wills, stealing, social isolation, and alleged physical, financial, emotional, sexual and physical abuse.
The Protecting Older Tasmanians from Abuse strategy several years ago estimated close to 5000 Tasmanians over the age of 65 would suffer some form of elder abuse this year.
It conceded, however, many instances of abuse went unreported and the figure may, in fact, be much higher.
Reports of elder abuse can be made to the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Hotline: 1800 441 169.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be held on Friday. Events have been organised in Launceston and Hobart.