The prevention of elder abuse must be a priority in Peel given that the region is home to an above-average proportion of older Western Australians, according to the seniors and ageing minister.
The Mandurah Mail recently spoke with service providers, police and community leaders, shining a light on the hidden and shameful issue affecting the most vulnerable in our community.
Residents 65 years and over make up 22.7 per cent of the Mandurah population, compared to the WA average of 14 per cent.
The first-ever state government strategy to tackle elder abuse opened for public comment on June 15, along with the announcement of a round-table discussion with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, to address financial abuse.
The Aged Care Royal Commission committee sat in Perth last week, hearing individual experiences from patients and families.
Seniors and ageing minister Mick Murray said elder abuse was an "emerging issue" in Western Australia and admitted there was a lack of data.
More work needs to be done to better understand the issue and then work to prevent it.
- Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray
"We know it is something thousands of Western Australians experience behind closed doors, but more work needs to be done to better understand the issue and then work to prevent it," he said.
"The lack of region-specific data on elder abuse is something the state government will address as part of our WA Elder Abuse Strategy, to give us a clearer understanding of where the issues are most prevalent and how best to tackle them.
"Peel is home to many more older Western Australians than most parts of the state so elder abuse prevention must be a priority for the region."
Members of the public can take part in the consultation process by visiting www.communities.wa.gov.au/elderabuse or by sending written submissions to Elder Abuse Strategy Submission, Department of Communities, PO Box 6334, East Perth WA 6892.
The public consultation period runs to July 24.
Contact The Relationships Australia program on 6164 0173 or email peelsrs@relationshipswa.org.au or the Elder Abuse hotline on 1300 724 679.
Do you have an opinion? Or a story to tell? Contact the Mandurah Mail at editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
