The Australasian College of Paramedicine

Elder Abuse: Current Challenges and Responses

About

In this webinar, we will have the opportunity to hear from an expert working in the field of elder abuse. We will aim to define behaviours that contribute to abuse, highlight some of the barriers for older people, discuss duty of care from a paramedic perspective and investigate the rights of older people to live free from abuse. This is must see webinar for all paramedics and patient transport officers.

The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU) promotes the right of older people to live free from abuse. It was established in 1997 to provide a state-wide service to respond to the abuse of older people in Queensland. It operates under UnitingCare Community and is funded by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

The EAPU works from a Human Rights perspective. The helpline provides information, support and referrals to callers who may be experiencing abuse, members of the community who suspect someone may be experiencing abuse and service providers who have concerns of abuse of their clients. The Unit also provides elder abuse awareness sessions to service providers and community groups.

Presented by: Deanne Lawrie

Hosted by: Shonel Hall

Biography: Deanne Lawrie

Deanne Lawrie is a Community Engagement Officer with the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU). Deanne has worked for the Older Persons Programs with UnitingCare for the past 13 years and has been with the EAPU for the past 8 years. Deanne has held various roles during this time including providing community education and training, answering calls to the Elder Abuse Helpline, co-chairing the Gold Coast Elder Abuse Response Panel and currently working with rural and remote communities to improve awareness of elder abuse and how we can best respond to the issue.

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