Due to the COVID-19 pandemic older Australians who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing elder abuse are more socially isolated than ever, writes Colette Bots. The question of how to address this has been on the minds of lawyers and social workers across the nation’s seniors legal and support services since the pandemic saw older Australians told to self-isolate to avoid the risk of infection.
Seniors bear a disproportionate risk of death resulting from coronavirus. In Australia, by April 2020 a vast majority of deaths due to the virus have been of older people. Due to their heightened risk they have also been subject to stricter recommendations around movement than others in the community, with the federal government recommending that people over the age of 70 should stay home and self-isolate. In this climate of increased social isolation barriers to accessing legal and social support are now amplified for older persons experiencing elder abuse.
Queensland’s Care Army is building up its volunteer base to connect with older persons who need assistance. However, without specific training on how to recognise elder abuse and how to respond, the opportunity for an additional “noticer” may be lost.
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