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Elder Abuse Resources and Evaluations
This collection brings together ECLC's evaluations, reports and practice resources relating to elder abuse prevention and response. These publications share key learnings, evidence and practical insights to support professionals working with older people.
Program Evaluations
Elder Abuse Response Final Evaluation
In April 2023, ECLC along with its partners Eastern Health and Oonah Belonging Place officially released major Evaluation Reports from two significant Elder Abuse response programs – ELSA and ROSE. The reports were launched by Attorney General Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC at Eastern Health in Box Hill.
Both the Final and Summary reports examine the key integrated, multidisciplinary elder abuse programs ELSA and ROSE, operated by ECLC over the last three years (2019 – 2023) in partnership with Eastern Health and Oonah Belonging Place.
The reports both share key lessons for service providers delivering elder abuse services, advocate for the expansion of integrated elder abuse services, and draw attention to systemic gaps that must be addressed in order for elder abuse to be resolved.
Ultimately, the independent evaluation found that:
“…both programs have achieved their goals to the highest level possible... The evaluation findings clearly support the adaptation of the ELSA and ROSE models to other geographical locations and their continuation and expansion…”
The independent evaluation was undertaken by La Trobe University, RMIT University and the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). A mid-term report (2022) was also commissioned in 2022 and is available here.
To view the joint Media Release, click here.
Elder Abuse Response Trial Evaluation
In 2019, the Commonwealth Government funded a series of Elder Abuse Service Trials under the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians 2019-2023. As a recipient, Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) established two Elder Abuse Response Programs with partners Eastern Health and Oonah Belonging Place, both using an integrated practice model combining lawyers and other community service professionals including advocates and financial counsellors.
ECLC commissioned an independent evaluation of these programs through RMIT University and the National Ageing Research Institute. The recent Mid-term Evaluation looked at the effectiveness and efficiency of the response programs in their first two years.
It found that the programs were implemented successfully, were “highly valued by both clients and professional stakeholders” and resulted in “clients overwhelmingly reporting their needs had been met” despite being rolled out in the midst of COVID-19 and ongoing lockdowns in Victoria.
A summary - Elder Abuse Response Trial - the first two years - has also been developed that provides an overview of the Elder Abuse Response Programs and key lessons learned from the mid-term evaluation. It also demonstrates the value of integrated practice in the elder abuse context.
The OPERA project is a partnership between Eastern Community Legal Centre and Swinburne University. The project engages with older people in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne about how ageing and age discrimination is experienced in our community.
OPERA Phase 1 Evaluation Report
This report evaluates the Phase 1 community consultation process about older people's perceptions and experiences of ageism.
OPERA Phase 2 Evaluation Report
This report evaluates the co-design production methodology for the digital video interventions produced in Phase 2 of the OPERA Project.
Resources
Planning Your Future Medical Care: A Guide for Older People
(ECLC resource)
The Planning Your Future Medical Care guide is a free resource for older people who want to plan ahead and make informed decisions about their future medical care.
The Guide is also available for download as a summary factsheet in English and 10 community languages.
Preventing Abuse of Older People Framework
(ECLC resource)
Developed by ECLC and the Eastern Elder Abuse Network (EEAN), this tool called Preventing Abuse of Older People Framework, was launched at the Victorian Government's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Breakfast on Tuesday 15 June 2021.
The Framework asks all of us to imagine what a world without ageism looks like and how we can all do more to include and respect people of all ages.
A guide provides some background and other relevant information to help people use and understand the Framework. It also emphasises the important role everyone can play to achieve the shared vision of 'A world where people are safe, valued and respected.'
Toolkit for Elder Abuse Prevention Networks: working towards a community of practice approach.
(ECLC resource)
Funded by DFFH, this Toolkit was developed and designed by ECLC to support elder abuse prevention networks (EAPNs) with a practical resource to strengthen practice through capacity building and peer learning drawing on a Community of Practice model.
This resource provides a snapshot of the important role of EAPNs, including key resources, and how to work together to progress primary prevention of elder abuse and drive greater impact across Victoria.
National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2026-2036
(Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department - AGD)
All governments in Australia agree that we must do more to prevent and respond to the abuse and mistreatment of older people. This National Plan builds on the important foundations and progress made under the first National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019–2023.
(Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department - AGD)
The National Prevention Framework helps turn the national direction of the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2026–2036 into practical action.
OPERA Project
Older People, Equity, Respect & Ageing.
The OPERA project is a partnership between Eastern Community Legal Centre and Swinburne University. The project engages with older people in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne about how ageing and age discrimination is experienced in our community.
The aim of the OPERA Project is to ensure that older people feel valued and respected in our community by challenging some of the harmful beliefs and attitudes that can lead to discrimination on the basis of age.
Community voices have been used to create a series of videos that challenge age discrimination by presenting the stories of empowered, resilient and active older people living in the Eastern Region of Melbourne. The community members featured in the OPERA stories have shared their personal stories to demonstrate how they enjoy happy, independent and meaningful lifestyles as they age.
Other information and previous resources
Compass is a national website created to help older Australians navigate the complex issue of elder abuse and to guide action to end the problem. They make resources and information available both for older Australians and for the people who care for and support them.
As a voice for action, Compass acts against elder abuse by raising nationwide awareness of this growing social issue and simplifying the process of connecting people to services and information that can help.
Compass is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Attorney-General’s Department in response to the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019–2023. Compass is led by Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA).
Behind the Curtain - GP's Responding to Elder Abuse
ECLC's Behind the Curtain video was developed to raise awareness of elder abuse among GPs in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. Funded by Melbourne East GP Network, the video was developed and launched in 2015.
ECLC delivered Matter of Trust workshops to culturally and linguistically diverse communities across the Eastern Metropolitan Region in partnership with cultural advisors and community organisations.
Through interactive storytelling activities, participants explored common scenarios of financial elder abuse, while community service representatives provided information and support options. The workshops increased awareness of financial elder abuse and promoted a collaborative, community-based approach to prevention and response.
