Zoe Moffatt
The Gisborne community has honored World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, with a ‘stir a cuppa with an elder’ campaign to raise awareness.
WEAAD was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2011, and aims to highlight the importance of older people’s rights, to prevent mistreatment and harm occurring in communities.
Co-ordinator Lynda Cameron said it is important to raise awareness as it is everyone’s business.
“It is important to raise awareness about elder abuse, to ensure older people are respected and included within each community,” Ms Cameron said.
“Elder abuse is everyone’s business and there is no excuse for it.”
Four cafes in Gisborne took part in the day by hosting a ‘stir a cuppa’ event to encourage the community to meet or accompany an elder in their life for a cuppa.
Donned in purple, five community leaders cut strawberries and cream vanilla mud cakes, which each represented a WEAAD letter, to give to those in attendance.
Founding Chair of Senior Rights Victoria Janet Wood, Macedon Ranges Councillor Rob Guthrie, Gisborne Men’s Shed Gunther Behrendt, Gisborne Country Women’s Association member Judy Culpin, and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient Jack Harris were all in attendance.
Kyneton Town Hall was also lit up in purple as a special finale to close the day in tribute to WEAAD 2023.
Elder abuse is recognised as any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust.
The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies estimates up to 14 per cent of older people in Australia are affected, and financial abuse appears to be the most common form experienced.
Some warning signs include; an older person seeming fearful, anxious or isolated, and there may be injuries, or an absence of personal care.
Older people can reduce the risk of abuse by making sure their financial, medical, legal and other affairs are in order.
Anyone who is experiencing elder abuse, or concerned about an older person, can get help by calling Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm, or by visiting www.seniorsrights.org.au.
