Elder abuse can take many forms; physical, financial, psychological and social harms. We speak mainly about financial abuse in this episode.

Nick and MaryAnn talk about identifying the “red flags” and how to address them. It’s a fine line between advocating for the elder and pushing too hard. Experience in this area is so important.

MaryAnn discusses who the main perpetrators are, what coercion looks like, and understanding capacity. If people have a will and an enduring power of attorney, they report lower rates of abuse.

 In this episode:

• What is elder abuse?
• Who do I report elder abuse to?
• Red flags for financial abuse
• What does coercion look like?
• What does capacity look like?
• Who are the perpetrators?
• Power of attorney vs Enduring Power of Attorney vs Enduring Guardianship
• When each document is appropriate
• Clear documentation lowers the risk of elder financial abuse
• Real life examples

Resources Mentioned:

• Let's Talk Consultation

Reporting Elder Abuse:

• NSW Ageing and Disability Commission
• Service NSW
• Communities and Justice NSW
• Compass
• 1800 ELDERhelp (1800 353 374)
• QLD Government
• Elder abuse helpline (Qld)
• WA government services
• Seniors' rights Victoria
• Elder abuse Tasmania
• South Australian Government
• COTA Northern Territory

Connect with MaryAnn De Mestre: 

• Email
• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn 

Connect with Nick Donnelly: 

• Website
• LinkedIn  

Connect with Coral Wilkinson: 

• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:

• See Me ACN website
• Facebook
• Instagram

More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast: 

Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.

We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.

Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.

Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business. 

Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.

Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home. 

We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.

 Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones. 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.