Elder abuse

What things might be considered ‘elder abuse’?

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and occurs within an informal relationship of trust, such as family or friends.

Elder abuse is not just about physical violence. It can include forms of financial, emotional, social and psychological abuse.

Some examples of behaviour that could be elder abuse include:

• Financial – using an older person’s money or property without their permission, taking control of bank accounts, selling property and keeping the proceeds, repeatedly asking for ‘loans’ or access to an expected inheritance, pressure to sign legal documents or Powers of Attorney without proper explanation.
• Emotional or psychological – verbal or physical threats, threats of abandonment and intimidation, threats to harm others or pets, withdrawal of love and support.
• Social – restricting someone’s social freedom, cutting off phone services, hiding mail, and isolating the older person from family and friends.
• Physical – any deliberate act resulting in physical pain or injury, including being hit, kicked, pushed, spat on or restrained.
• Sexual – sexually abusive or exploitative behaviour, including sexual assault, making obscene phone calls, or watching obscene DVDs in the presence of an older person who does not want to see this.
• Neglect – not providing life’s necessities, such as adequate food, shelter, medical care and emotional support.

Legal Aid WA Elder Rights WA Strategy

Our Elder Rights WA Strategy focuses on five strategic objectives and is consistent with the Legal Aid WA vision of delivering equitable access to justice to support a fair and safe community.

Download: Legal Aid WA Elder Rights WA Strategy 2023-2025

Get help

If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, Elder Rights WA may be able to help. Elder Rights WA is a service provided by Legal Aid WA. There is a fact sheet and a webpage with information about this service. 

To find out what other help we can give for your situation, call the Legal Aid WA Infoline on 1300 650 579.

You may also be able to get help from these services:

• Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre – Older Peoples Rights Service
  Provides legal advice, information, referral and crisis counselling for older people who are experiencing elder abuse or are at risk of being abused.Call Mirrabooka – (08) 9440 1663 or Joondalup – (08) 9301 4413.
• Advocare
  Provides advocacy services and supports for those receiving (or eligible to receive) aged care services. Call (08) 9479 7566 or 1800 655 566 (for country callers).Advocare also run the Elder Abuse Helpline – a free and confidential space for people to seek initial support about elder abuse. Call 1300 724 679.
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission provides a free service for anyone to raise their concerns about the quality of care or services being delivered to people receiving aged care services subsidised by the Australian Government.You can phone the Commission on 1800 550 552 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday) or you can lodge a complaint online.

More information

• Compass – Guiding action on elder abuse
  A national elder abuse knowledge hub, to help raise awareness and connect people to services and information on elder abuse.
• Department of Communities – elder abuse support services and resources
  Information on elder abuse for victims, potential victims and the general public, including ways to help prevent elder abuse. 
• WA Police – Seniors and Elder Abuse
  Information about how the police may be able to help.
• Office of the Public Advocate – call 1300 858 455
  Information and advice about older people with reduced decision-making capacity.