This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Juniper is calling on the community to join forces in the fight against elder abuse. As one of Western Australia’s biggest non-profit, local aged care providers, Juniper is committed to creating a safe environment where staff, customers and their families can confidently speak up if they sense something is wrong.
According to the Government of Western Australia, elder abuse is a heartbreaking reality for 1 in 6 older Western Australians, often perpetrated by close family members. This abuse can be financial, social, physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional, and many cases go unreported.
“Much like family violence and child abuse, elder abuse is a community issue that needs everyone’s attention,” Juniper CEO Russell Bricknell said.
This year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day tagline, “Wise Up, Rise Up against Elder Abuse”, shows the vital role everyone in the community plays:
- Wise up – Find out more about elder abuse, recognise the signs, and learn where to access support.
- Rise up – Take action individually and in communities to stop elder abuse from happening and support older Western Australians.
“We believe that protecting our seniors is a shared responsibility. We are dedicated to promoting a culture of safety where people feel empowered to speak up and take action against any form of abuse,” said Mr Bricknell.
“We provide ongoing training for our staff to identify and respond to signs of elder abuse. Additionally, we have established clear reporting procedures for customers and families.”
Juniper’s commitment to combating elder abuse includes working with other organisations, such as Advocare and participating in campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. These initiatives empower the community to stand against elder abuse and support those affected.
Preventing elder abuse is a collective effort. We urge everyone to learn about the signs of elder abuse and speak up if they suspect something is wrong. Click here for more information.
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