MEDIA RELEASE

Walks Against Elder Abuse around Tasmania

Walks Against Elder Abuse are set to unite Tasmanians from all generations and political persuasions when 150 Tasmanians from various backgrounds stride out in the Hobart, Launceston and Burnie CBDs today to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This is the first time Walks Against Elder Abuse have been held in all three parts of the State in the same year.

The enthusiastic and hardy walkers have registered to brave the winter cold to be part of Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania’s Walks Against Elder Abuse, spreading the word that elder abuse is not OK.

One in seven older Australians in the State of the Older Nation survey commissioned by the Council on the Ageing had experienced elder abuse or knew someone else who had.  Fewer than half of those people had sought help.

These disturbing findings underscore the need for increased elder abuse awareness, says COTA Tasmania CEO Sue Leitch.

Ms Leitch says public events like the WEAAD Walks Against Elder Abuse help create awareness and social change. They draw attention to ageism, inform people of their rights and help empower older people.

“We must help the community recognise that action is necessary and such action and support really can change lives,” Ms Leitch said.

“COTA is delighted that this message is being spread statewide on this important day with WEAAD walks in three key locations.”

Ms Leitch says elder abuse is a multi-dimensional and complex issue.

“The experience of elder abuse is often hidden and hard to pin down,” she says.

“The disregard for human rights and widespread ageism that underpins elder abuse can also take many forms from the extreme that is easy to see, to more subtle occurrences that are often passed over.

“Legislation, policy, practice and attitudes across our community must support the rights of older Tasmanians, not undermine them.

“Implementation of Tasmania’s Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy has seen us make some progress over the last 10 years, but there is still much more to do.“

Ms Leitch said a recent example receiving media attention relates to a lack of respect for older people’s rights when they are being discharged from hospital.

“It’s not acceptable that the rights of older patients in our public hospitals are being undermined and individual choices are being limited within a system that is designed to promote health and wellbeing, not restrict it,” Ms Leitch said.

“COTA Tasmania has been working with Advocacy Tasmania and Health Consumers Tasmania for some months in an endeavour to address these issues with the Tasmanian Health Service, and we are concerned that the response has been slow.”

Walks Against Elder Abuse throughout the State and the associated Ageing My Way exhibition in Burnie of photographs of older people expressing their wishes are the highlights of WEAAD morning in Tasmania.

From 3pm today COTA Tasmania is co-hosting a national online forum exploring Australia’s response to elder abuse, through a panel of national and international experts and service providers.

Driving Long-Term Change:  Australia’s Response to Elder Abuse is online from 3pm to 4.30 pm today. To register, go to https://nectarcc.eventsair.com/neac2022/forum-2

On 14-15 February 2022, COTA Tasmania and Elder Abuse Action Australia will co-host the 7th National Elder Abuse Conference in Hobart: Walk the Talk: Stepping Up Together. For more information on the conference, go to https://nectarcc.eventsair.com/neac2022/

Anyone who is experiencing elder abuse or is concerned about an older person can ring the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 441 169 for free, confidential and sensitive information and referrals.  

ends