This protocol has been developed to assist staff and professionals working with older people to identify and respond to elder abuse in Western Australia. The protocol contains general information about elder abuse, including definitions, types of abuse, examples, signs, and risk factors for abuse. In addition, the protocol provides information about appropriate responses to elder abuse, including a referral flowchart and a list of referral agencies and contacts in Western Australia.
Staff and professionals who work with older people need to be aware of the issue of elder abuse and know how to identify and respond to it in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their clients. Organisations have a duty of care to their clients to provide assistance and referral when elder abuse is identified; they also have a duty of care to provide staff with training and information to ensure they can respond appropriately and safeguard their clients from further harm. Agencies are encouraged to develop their own policies and procedures to enable staff and volunteers to recognise, prevent, and respond to elder abuse.
In addressing elder abuse, the rights of the older person must be supported. Older people have the right to make decisions, take risks, or refuse supports and interventions, as long as they have the cognitive capacity to make informed decisions and can understand the consequences of these decisions.
:format():fill())