People of all ages differ in their skills, interests and abilities. Older people are as capable, worthy and useful as younger members of the community. Knowledge and experience gained by older people from careers, volunteer activities, sporting interests and relationships is a valuable asset to everyone.

We have been collecting thoughts and ideas from older people in our community about what they can do and how they would like to be seen. By sharing these with the wider community we can help to change expectations about what it means to get older.

We invite you to contribute to this positive ageing activity to help show all members of the community how unique older people really are.

By changing the way we think about getting older we have the chance to work together to create a society where every person is valued, connected and respected, regardless of age and health. Positive community and self-perceptions about ageing are good for all of us.

Older people have written on cards like the one below so we can share them at events or turn them into videos for everyone to see.

How can you contribute?

If you are aged over 60 we'd love to hear more about what you can do and how you would like to be seen so we can share your thoughts with the wider community. There are lots of ways you can share. Try one or more of the following:

1. Visit our comments page to add your comments and we will turn them into cards like the one on the right.
   
   
2. Send a photo of yourself at work, volunteering, playing sport, playing music, cooking, gardening, dancing or whatever it is you love to do to Michelle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   
   
3. Watch and share our English language video
   
   
4. Watch and share our Chinese language video
   
   
5. Follow our Ageing: Challenge your thinking Facebook page

Are you interested to learn more about ageism (age discrimination) and how it supports an environment where elder abuse can occur or is accepted? Check out the links below for more information.

Ageism

• Are you ageist? - Quiz
• Imagine a world without ageism - video
• EveryAGE counts - website
• Challenging ageism - fact sheet

Elder abuse

• Elder abuse: what is it? - web page
• Concerned about an older person? - booklet
• Compass: Guiding action on elder abuse - website

Need help?

• Seniors Rights Victoria - 1300 368 821 
  
• Office of the Public Advocate- 1300 309 337
• 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 
  
• Mensline - 1300 78 99 78 

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple zero (000)

The SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network were thrilled to have Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention, Gerard Mansour officially launch Preventing Elder Abuse: a literature review for the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network today. The document is a rapid review of primary prevention literature as it relates to elder abuse.

In response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Victorian Government is funding the establishment of eight elder abuse prevention networks to collaborate at a community level and focus on the prevention of elder abuse.

As part of the Monash Health Integrated Model of Responding to Suspected Elder Abuse, SMPCP established the Southern Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network (SMEAPN) in Janaury 2018. InJuly 2022, network member Better Place Australia took over leadership of SMEAPN.

The SMEAPN seeks to:

• focus on primary prevention activities including:
  • addressing the drivers of elder abuse such as ageist attitudes in the community
  • conducting elder abuse awareness activities with older people, their families, carers and general community 
  • utilising social media as a platform for community engagement and to facilitate the dissemination of primary prevention messages
  • connecting practitioners working with older community members, their families and carers

A steering committee and working group have been established to guide the development of the EAPN and the delivery of primary prevention activities.

Members of the network include:

EveryAGE Counts

We recognise that ageism can contribute to the occurance of elder abuse which is why we have joined the
EveryAGE Counts campaign to combat ageism wherever we find it.

Work of the SMPCP EAPN has included:

• Framing age message guide
• Podcast - Rod Quantock gets serious about ageing
• Preventing Elder Abuse: A literature review for the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network
• Guidelines for Managing Disclosures of Family Violence and Elder Abuse
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day social media toolkit - 2021
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day social media toolkit - 2020
• Submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Standards
• I'm older...YouTube positive ageing videos
• Celebrate all ages

Resources of interest include:

• Action research - Older, Better Together: The primary prevention of elder abuse by primary prevention networks
• Victorian Elder Abuse Prevention Networks

To keep in touch with EAPN activities you can sign up for our e-newsletter or like us on facebook.

To express interest in participating in the SMPCP EAPN please contact:

Ageing: Challenge your thinking is SMPCP's e-newsletter focussing on the primary prevention of elder abuse. Articles discuss how to challenge drivers of elder abuse such as ageism. There's also information about local events, resources to help 'stop abuse before it starts' and links to training in identifying those at risk as well as recognising and responding to signs of abuse.

June 2022

Additional past issues can be accessed on our archive page.

To recieve future editions directly to your inbox, subscribe by filling in the boxes below and click on the 'subscribe' button.

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We all want to live in a world where everyone is respected and included regardless of age. This reduces social isolation and builds our confidence and ability to make our own decisions.

Unfortunately this doesn’t always happen. There is an emerging body of evidence that ageist attitudes and behaviours create an environment where elder abuse occurs and leaves people disrespected, disenfranchised and ignored - by service providers, fellow community members and even loved ones. The all-too common examples of older people being overlooked for employment, restricted from health or social services and stereotyped in the media are all instances of ageism in action.

To reduce the impact of ageism on our community we engaged Common Cause Australia to develop the Framing Age Message Guide. The research and resulting tips will help everyone better understand how to communicate about age, ageing and issues affecting older people in a way that reduces ageist attitudes, stereotypes and behaviours.

What is the Framing age message guide?
The guide details research conducted by Common Cause Australia using their unique approach to community engagement. It identifies ways of communicating to shift persuadable audiences to a more supportive mindset.
Based on this research, six ‘Top Tips for Messaging’ have been outlined, including practical ‘before’ and ‘after’ examples. Details on how to structure a persuasive story are also included. There’s even a ‘cheat sheet’ at the end so you have the most important information all in one place!

Download the Framing Age Message Guide...

Download the Framing Age Message Guide  Cheat Sheet...

Watch the launch of the Framing Age Message Guide on YouTube...

Who are we?
We are a consortium of multi-agency Elder Abuse Prevention Networks (EAPNs) led by Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership, Eastern Community Legal Centre, Merri Health and Barwon Community Legal Service. Together, we represent five of the nine EAPNs funded by the Victorian Government.

• Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention Network
• Eastern Elder Abuse Network
• Northern Metropolitan Elder Abuse Prevention Network
• Southern Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network
• Western Metropolitan Elder Abuse Prevention Network

Funding for this project was provided by Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership, Barwon Community Legal Service, Bayside City Council, Better Place Australia, Bolton Clarke, Eastern Community Legal Centre, Glen Eira City Council, Merri Health and Women’s Health in the South East.

Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.

Questions?

Do you have more questions about the Framing age message guide? Are you interested to find out more on how you can build your skills to use the guide? 
Contact: Graeme Westaway | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 9556 5314

SMPCP is excited to announce that we have been selected as the lead agency to establish an Elder Abuse Prevention Network (EAPN) within our catchment.

The Royal Commission into Family Violence recognised elder abuse as a particular form of family violence and developed a number of recommendations to tackle this important and under-reported issue. The Elder Abuse Prevention and Response Initiative is part of the Victorian government's response to these recommendations.This includes funding for the establishment of 10 elder abuse prevention networks to collaborate at a community level and focus on the prevention of elder abuse.

Framing age message guide
Based on original research by Common Cause Australia, the Framing age message guide utilises values based messaging to help us reframe the way with think and talk about age, ageing and issues that affect older people. With ageism emerging as a driver of elder abuse, this message guide is an essential tool to assist everyone in preventing abuse before it even begins.

Preventing Elder Abuse: A literature review for the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network
A rapid review of literature on primary prevention of elder abuse was conducted in 2018 to support the work of the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network. The review explores four key questions and offers emerging conclusions and recommendations for action.

Older, Better, Together: The prirmary prevention of elder abuse by primary prevention networks
Commissioned by Seniors Rights Victoria and conducted by conslutants Think Impact, this action research examines primary prevention initiatives as carried out by five of the 10 Elder Abuse Prevention Networks funded by the Victorian Government. 

National Plan to Respond to Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019 - 2023
In March 2019, the Attorney-General launched the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-202. Developed in conjunction with state and territory government agencies, the plan provides an overview of the issues that governments need to act on as a priority, as well as early agreed actions to address them.

With respect to age — 2009: Victorian Government practice guidelines for health services and community agencies for the prevention of elder abuse
A practical guide principally for workers in health agencies and community services that support older people. The guide draws on advice from older Victorians, consultation with health and community sectors and the views and experience or a range of stakeholders.

Elder Abuse Community Action Plan for Victoria - February 2018
This project aimed to develop an action plan for people and organisations who have a demonstrated commitment to preventing and combating elder abuse. The team from the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) worked in partnership with Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) and the Elder Abuse Roundtable members, including representatives from advocacy, legal, research, aged and health care service providers and the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA).

Understanding Elder Abuse: A scoping study
The Melbourne Social Equity Institute commissioned the National Ageing Research Institute to conduct a scoping study reviewing the published literature on elder abuse with specific focus on intergenerational elder abuse, and the evidence supporting interventions to address this abuse.

Elder Abuse Discussion Paper
This discussion paper is based upon FMC Mediation and Counselling's (FMC) experience of providing front line response services to older people affected by elder abuse over the last three years. The paper considers the risk factors that FMC has observed amongst clients of its Respecting Elder service. Drawing upon its client experience and understanding of the current sector responses, FMC concludes with seven considerations.

Bystanders in primary prevention programs: Advice for Elder Abuse Prevention Networks
This paper summarises some recent literature on the role of bystanders in family violence primary prevention and the framing of messages about elder abuse to assist members of Elder Abuse Prevention Networks to design and plan activities.

Safe and Savvy
A guide available from the Australian Banking Association for over 50's to help protect against financial elder abuse. The guide explains the concept of elder financial abuse to consumers and emphasises why it is important to understand the risks and make sure the consumer is protected. Practical steps are outlined to assist in safeguarding individuals and their loved ones.

Well-known Australian comedian, speaker and social activist Rod Quantock OAM joined with the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network to create a podcast series Rod Quantock gets serious about ageingto encourage young and old alike to:

• challenge ageist and sexist attitudes
• empower older people to know their rights and act on them
• raise awareness of elder abuse, including what it is and where to get help if desired

Light in tone yet addressing a serious subject, the podcast series delves into the hidden issue of age discrimination and elder abuse.

Rod says “I made the podcast for people young and old alike because we, as a society, need to step up to challenge ageist and sexist attitudes and to empower older people to know their rights and act on them. Becoming older does not mean that your rights are in any way diminished. Ageism leads to people not respecting older people and contributes to the attitudes that lead to the inappropriate treatment of older people.” 

Rod hopes this reasonably serious podcast series can assist in raising the community’s awareness of age discrimination and elder abuse.

Episode 1: Rod Quantock gets serious about ageing

Features Rod interviewing:

• Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassasdor for Elder Abuse Prevention
• Gary Ferguson, Community Education Manager – Seniors Rights Victoria
• Michelle Lord, Elder Abuse Prevention Network Project Lead – Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership

This episode also importantly aims to raise awareness of elder abuse, including what it is and where to get help if desired.

Episode 2: Older, active and valued

Features Rod being interviewed by Colin Tyrus about his active life as an older Australian.

Episode 3: Are you ageist and does it matter?

Features Colin Tyrus speaking with two older Australians about what ageism looks like and the impact it has on everyday lives.

Listen to all episodes in the Rod Quantock gets serious about ageing podcast series:

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• Media player:    Episode 1    |    Episode 2   |    Episode 3

After listening, please fill in our very quick survey to let us know your thoughts and help us develop more interesting content in the future.

In response to recommendations from Victoria's Royal Commission into Family Violence, 10 Elder Abuse Prevention Networks (EAPNs) have been funded by the Victorian Goverment across the state. The EAPNs use a primary prevention approach to address elder abuse. Five of the networks have been established as 'stand alone' while a further five networks are part of the trial Integrated Model of Care for Responding to Suspected Elder Abuse (IMOC). This model comprises four components.

1. Workforce training
2. Liaison Officer – Elder abuse prevention and response
3. Counselling and mediation services (including financial counselling)
4. Elder Abuse Prevention Network

Details for each of the networks can be found below.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Social media toolkit 2020

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is held on June 15 every year and aims to raise awareness of this significant form of family violence. 

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member or friend. Abuse may be financial, psychological, physical, social, or sexual and includes mistreatment and neglect.

To raise awareness of elder abuse in 2020, the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network launched a podcast Rod Quantock gets serious about ageing.We invite you to help spread the word by using the social media tools listed below.

Suggested Facebook text

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15, comedian and social activist @rodquantock gets serious about ageing in a new podcast which encourages young and old alike to:

• challenge ageist and sexist attitudes
• empower older people to know their rights and act on them
• raise awareness of elder abuse, including what it is and where to get help if desired

The podcast tackles the serious issue of elder abuse in a light tone and features Rod Quantock interviewing:

• Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Advocate for Elder Abuse Prevention
• Gary Ferguson, Education Co-ordinator – Seniors Rights Victoria
• Michelle Lord, Elder Abuse Prevention Network Project Lead – Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership

Links to listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, google podcasts, or media players can be found at http://www.smpcp.org.au/index.php/our-work/projects/eapn/podcast

#WEAAD #SeniorsRights #worldelderabuseawarenessday

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Links to the podcast can be found at www.smpcp.org.au/index.php/our-work/projects/eapn/podcast

www.facebook.com/ageingchallengeyourthinking

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