Bookmark campaign travels Tasmania to raise awareness of elder abuse

Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson AO has travelled the state this week with Council of the Ageing Tasmania's chief executive Sue Leitch to launch a new educational bookmark that aims to raise awareness of the issue.

Dr Patterson said it was an innovative way to provide key information so that Tasmanians can reach out for support.

"It's to enable people to pop it in a book or put it in a drawer," she said. "They won't necessarily use it straight away. Not everybody will need it."

On the bookmark are a number of statements, such as: "I know how my money is being spent"; "I choose what happens in my home"; and, "my will reflects my wishes".

Dr Patterson said if people say no to any of these statements and are concerned, they can call the National Elder Abuse Hotline listed on the bookmark for support.

So far the roadshow has visited Hobart, Richmond, the East Coast, and Scottsdale. Dr Patterson also did a talk at the Launceston School for Seniors on Wednesday afternoon.

Westbury and Burnie were next on the list, where Dr Patterson will speak at the Burnie Sports Club.

Along the way, Dr Patterson and Ms Leitch has met with pharmacists, seniors groups, and neighbourhood houses.

"We're talking to the pharmacists because we know that people are taking their mother's or their grandparent's medication that's got codeine in it, or narcotics," Dr Patterson said.

"Elder abuse is everybody's business. It's the pharmacist, the hairdresser, it's the doctor - whoever thinks somebody needs help, well, there's help available, and we need to make sure they know.

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Dr Patterson said scams were also a concern for older people.

She said older people often fell victim to romance scams, which would take advantage of people looking for romantic partners.

According to Scamwatch, other scams likely to target older people included investment scams, unexpected prize and lottery scams, inheritance scams, and rebate scams.

"It's about keeping them safe in terms of in their domestic situation, but also keeping them safe from people who would scam them. It's about educating people," Dr Patterson said.

For more information about the bookmark, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

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