NEW services to help victims of elder abuse will soon be rolled out to five regional locations across Queensland.
The state government is providing Relationships Australia Queensland with $2.1 million in funding over three years to establish new seniors' legal and support services in Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Seniors Minister Coralee O'Rourke said the state government was committed to ensuring seniors had access to the support services they needed.
"This will add to the already well-established services that are currently operating in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Townsville and Cairns.
"It's fantastic to have Relationships Australia Queensland coming on board and joining our network of service providers who work incredibly hard to tackle elder abuse.
"Relationships Australia Queensland has a long history of supporting family relationships, and increasing experience in supporting seniors in particular, making them an ideal organisation to deliver our new support services for seniors."
Chief executive of Relationships Australia Dr Ian Law said the new seniors' legal and support services would be delivered through a multi-disciplinary approach.
"This approach will deliver information, support and referrals to improve health, well-being and safety for seniors; and I'm really pleased we have been selected to provide the expansion of these vital services to new areas in Queensland," he said.
The new services being are expected to be operating in early 2018.
Mrs O'Rourke said $600,00 million in funding over three years would expand the capacity of the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit to provide a statewide service through the Elder Abuse Helpline.
The Helpline offers information, support and referrals to people who experience, witness or suspect elder abuse.
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and occurs within a relationship of trust, such as family, friends or carer. It can be physical, emotional, financial, sexual or social abuse, or neglect.
If a person is experiencing elder abuse or is concerned about someone who is, or may be, experiencing elder abuse, they should call the police on Triple Zero for emergencies and can contact an Elder Abuse Helpline in their state for free and confidential advice.
- Queensland 1300-651-192
- NSW 1800-628-221
- Victoria 1800-368-821
- Tasmania 1800-441-169
- WA 1300-724-679 frecall (country) 1800-655-566
- ACT 6205-3535
- Northern Territory 1800-037-072