AGED RIGHTS ADVOCACY SERVICE

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:52): Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Ageing—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Sorry, I did not hear that question, member for Taylor.

Mrs VLAHOS: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Ageing. Can the Minister for Ageing please advise the house on a new initiative to prevent the abuse of older South Australians?

The SPEAKER: Again, before I call the minister, I will remind members if you persistently ignore my requests for order, you will not be given the call. Minister for Families and Communities.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:52): Since coming to government, we have consistently increased the support for seniors and made efforts to keep our elderly safe. The Department for Families and Communities funds the Aged Rights Advocacy Service for more than $730,000 each year, to help raise awareness and prevent abuse of older people in our community.

In 2010-11 to date, the Aged Rights Advocacy Service has assisted approximately 454 older people directly suffering abuse. A further 372 friends or family members have been provided with information and assistance, and 126 information and education sessions have been conducted for 2,730 people.

Last week, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, I launched a new protocol for responding to the abuse of older people living at home in the community. This practical resource gives older people and their nurses, carers, social workers and service providers the tools and clear guidelines so they can make confident and informed decisions if they suspect abuse is occurring.

A DVD has also been developed in conjunction with the protocol; 'No Excuse for Abuse', and it highlights some of the common signs of elder abuse so people know what to look for and how to identify abuse when it occurs.

Signs of abuse can range from physical, psychological, financial or social. An older person can have bruising or swelling, may act fearfully, or may be under or overmedicated. They may be reluctant to make their own decisions, be overly nervous and anxious in the presence of a particular person, or may tell conflicting stories that could indicate abuse. If an older person is being financially abused, there may be unpaid bills, missing personal belongings, a change in the will or important documents, confusion about assets or unusual activity in bank accounts.

The protocol and DVD were developed by the Aged Rights Advocacy Service and funded by the state government. A recent Advertiser article featured the movie star Mickey Rooney, who openly discussed—

The Hon. J.D. Hill: I met him.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Have you? He openly discussed abuse he suffered from his 52-year-old stepson. He had been bullied, made a prisoner in his own home and forced into signing over his assets—before he received help.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: How many wives did he have?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: About eight. An example like this just goes to show that anyone can become a victim of elder abuse, and the perpetrators can be the people we most trust—a family member, a close friend or a carer. This is also why it can be so hard to ask for help. Ensuring all South Australians—especially our elderly—know their rights and how they can get help if they need it is one of the best ways to prevent abuse.

The government is pleased to have supported the protocol and the DVD, and I hope it will help further assist the many people and organisations doing a wonderful job caring for our seniors and helping them stay safe and independent.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Once again, you see the opposition finding great mirth in initiatives that help the most disadvantaged in our community; well done!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind the member for Finniss that he will be old one day; he is very close to it now. Member for Morphett.