Elder abuse - a serious risk facing the sector

Have You Implemented Your Elder Abuse Policies and Procedures?

Elder abuse is one of the most serious risks facing the sector, and it is one every operator has a responsibility to actively prevent.

Under Western Australian legislation, including the upcoming Retirement Village Law Reforms, village operators are required to maintain clear conduct rules and professional standards. Preventing and responding to elder abuse should sit at the centre of that framework. Operators are expected to adopt formal internal policies covering staff training, mandatory reporting procedures, and clear pathways to immediate external support.

From 1 July 2027, under the retirement village reforms, villages will be expected to have elder abuse policies and procedures fully implemented.

Why this matters:

• There are approximately 75,000 seniors in Western Australia
• An estimated 15.7% of people aged 60 and over are affected by elder abuse
• 83.4% of cases are perpetrated by a family member

These figures are a reminder that elder abuse often happens closest to home which is exactly why operators need robust, independent safeguards within their villages.

The Six Forms of Elder Abuse

Effective prevention starts with recognition. Elder abuse can take several forms, and staff should be equipped to identify each one:

• Financial abuse — unauthorised use of funds, coercion, or exploitation involving property
• Psychological abuse — intimidation, humiliation, or emotional manipulation
• Social abuse — isolating a resident from friends, family, or community
• Physical abuse — any form of physical harm or force
• Neglect — failure to provide adequate care, support, or basic needs
• Sexual abuse — any non-consensual sexual contact or behaviour

What a Strong Policy Should Include

A genuinely effective elder abuse policy manual goes beyond a statement of intent. It should set out clear, step-by-step procedures across three key areas:

1. Identification Protocols

Staff should be trained to recognise the signs of physical, psychological, financial, sexual abuse, and neglect. Financial exploitation such as unauthorised access to funds or coercion relating to property is particularly common in this sector and warrants close, ongoing oversight.

2. Mandatory Reporting

Policies should give staff clear direction on who to notify, how to document an incident without causing further distress to the resident, and how to protect the victim's privacy throughout the process.

3. Complaints Management

There should be a clear escalation pathway from raising a concern with an operator or village manager for internal investigation, through to involving police or relevant authorities where a criminal offence is suspected.

Getting Support

Village Operators don't need to build this framework alone. A number of trusted resources are available to guide policy development and provide ongoing support:

• Elder abuse support services and resources – WA Government
• Advocare
• WA Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: Guidelines for Action

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is on 15 June to voice opposition to the abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of older people.