Compass

Sexual elder abuse is a criminal act, and it doesn’t always involve physical contact. Learn what to watch for and where to get help.

Physical elder abuse is real, but it can be surprisingly hard to see or recognise. Here’s what to look for and where to get help.

Most people have some financial debt, but for older people, owing money can be crippling. The National Debt Helpline can assist.

When an older person refuses to change, you may think it’s just stubbornness. But the reality may be more complex – and less voluntary – than you might think.

Psychological or emotional abuse of older people is often hard to see, but it can have long-lasting effects. Is it happening to you, or to someone you know?

Pets can offer emotional support and health benefits for older people, but it’s important to consider the drawbacks and housing limitations before you become a pet parent.

The new tracking and monitoring technologies can support older people’s safety and security, but they can also be used for control or privacy invasion.

Financial abuse of older people is a significant, and often hidden, issue that causes financial loss and emotional distress. How can we protect ourselves?

Each of these documents is important and plays a specific role in securing your future and ensuring your wishes are respected.

Neglect of older people is harmful, and it’s increasing. Family, friends and professional contacts may be the best source of intervention, but would you recognise the signs?

Elder abuse in Australia is a serious and growing social issue. Part of the challenge is that it can be very hard to spot. We explore why.

From assistive technology such as walking sticks to digital devices and wearables, technology can enhance our safety and wellness in our later years.

We all lose our patience now and then, but if you are impatient with an older person, you could be perpetrating elder abuse. Find out why patience is important.

Are you often treated impatiently by other people? It may constitute elder abuse, and you do not have to accept it.

Caring for an older person calls for more than good intentions to ensure it doesn’t cross the line into elder abuse.

It's never too late to start protecting your skin from skin cancer. Here we talk about some ways to prevent it and what to do if you see something suspicious.

Here are some common factors that increase a person’s risk of experiencing abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

People have every right to report elder abuse and get help to make it stop, yet they don’t always do so. Why not?

A 2021 national survey found that family members are the most likely group of people to commit elder abuse.

Every one of us at every age is entitled to be treated fairly and enjoy the same opportunities.

Inconsistent and emotionally focused, coercive control can be hard to spot.

It is critical that LGBTQIA+ people appoint an attorney who will respect their sexuality and/or gender identity when making any future decisions for them.

Even if you have an idea of what enduring powers of attorney are and how they can help you, you may still have questions to ask or things you’re not sure about.

An attorney has both the duty and the privilege of enabling another person to live the life they wanted to lead by understanding and enacting their wishes and preferences.

Sometimes, older people may become less able to make decisions for themselves. If you lose the ability to manage your own affairs, how will they be handled?

‘Capacity’ is a term often used when talking about a person’s ability to make decisions for themselves and understand the consequences of those decisions.

The person you appoint as your attorney in your enduring power of attorney may need to make important financial decisions on your behalf, so you should choose someone you really trust.

Ageism underpins many of our policy failures in addressing the rights and dignity of older Australians.

If you’re concerned about an older person’s vulnerability to abuse, these are some of the key steps you can take to reduce and minimise their exposure to risk. For help and guidance read on.

If you know or suspect an older person is experiencing or at risk of abuse, read on to see what you can do. Help starts here.