Shocking increase in elder abuse cases highlights national shame

SA Health will install surveillance cameras in at least five of its state-run aged care facilities in a move to clamp-down on the abuse of elderly patients.

The federal government has committed $500,000 to a 12-month trial which will start in the second half of the year.

The program will be delivered in partnership with Care Protect, a company which specialises in audio-visual monitoring systems in health and social care settings.

The move follows numerous revelations of abuse in Australian nursing homes including shocking allegations of abuse at the SA Oakden Mental Health Aged Care facility.

Growing public concern led to the Royal Commission into Aged Care which began earlier this year and which prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to warn Australians to brace themselves for some difficult stories.

Department of Health figures published last year revealed an industry in crisis with almost one aged care home being forced to close every month, and many more facing sanctions for failing to meet standards of care.

There was a 177 per cent increase in the number of aged-care homes where a serious risk to residents was identified and a 292 per cent increase in the number of facilities that refused to comply with rules.

Around 1.3 million Australians access aged care services every year.

Recently the federal government announced a new National Plan for Elder Abuse which includes a national 1800 helpline number 1800-353-374 (1800 ELDER) which directs calls to state-based helplines.

Also announced was an extra $18 million over four years for national trials of front line services designed to support the victims of elder abuse.

However WA Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray has warned that without additional funding some people needing help would not receive it.

Mr Murray said more resources were needed to manage the expected increased caseload the announcement would attract.

He said calls would be directed to WA's already strained support services without any extra funding support.

The WA Elder Abuse Helpline- run by Advocare and funded by the state government - already expects to receive at least 1000 calls this financial year.

"Raising the profile of the issue without additional funding will mean local services will not be able to assist all those who need help," said Mr Murray.

"We don't want people who finally summon the courage to reach out to a support service to then be turned away.

"Our service providers do a terrific job in difficult circumstances and I call upon the federal government to properly fund the WA Elder Abuse Helpline."

NSW Seniors Rights Service chief executive Russell Westacott said it was vital that funding didn't stop for existing helpline services.

"Seniors Rights Service welcomes having a national 1800 number, however, it's important that states and territories continue to fund their existing helplines.

"Families live state to state and anything like this that centralises [services] is a good thing," he said.

Calls to the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline increased by more than 17 per cent last financial year, with 1900-plus people making reports.

More than half the victims were aged 80 and over, with the highest proportion aged 80-84.

The state government believes the damning figures reflect an increase in awareness, not necessarily an increase in abuse.

"This is the largest annual increase in elder abuse notifications since the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit began collecting this data in 2000-01," said Seniors Minister Coralee O'Rourke.

"This report represents the most comprehensive data on elder abuse in the state and is a clear indication that awareness campaigns such as those run by the Palaszczuk government and the Queensland Law Society are getting the message across that elder abuse won't be tolerated."

The most common forms of abuse reported were financial (1511) and psychological (1207). "There are other forms of abuse, such as sexual abuse, which may be under-reported and I encourage people to report these," Ms O'Rourke said.

The report also showed:

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse contact the national Elder Abuse Help Line, 1800-353-374. If you are immediate danger call the police on triple zero (000).

- with Hazel Bradley.