World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 in VIC | 'Inheritance impatience' affecting seniors

It's something the service's chief executive Chris Potaris says is putting "significant pressure" on services, staff and the people most at risk.

Mr Potaris said Seniors Rights Victoria plays a critical role in our communities across the state.

"A lot of the educational work we're undertaking is significantly underfunded, resulting in a blowout to our response and waiting times for older Victorians seeking our services," he said.

"Currently, that waiting list stands at five weeks."

Elder Rights Advocacy chief executive Debra Nicholl said silence is the biggest ally to elder abuse.

And while World Elder Abuse Awareness Day has certainly raised awareness of what elder abuse is and what it looks like, there is still work to do.

"Some forms of elder abuse are obvious, others not so," she said, "but the more that older people are informed, the more they can act."

Ms Nicholl said the awareness day helps put the spotlight on older people and wakes up the rest of society.

Because elder abuse most often involves family members, usually spouses or children, she said older people are often reluctant to speak out for fear of getting them into trouble.

"For that reason too, we know that incidences of elder abuse are underreported.

"We are learning more about it - awareness about prevention and response is increasing."

Elder abuse takes different forms. It can be financial, psychological, emotional, physical, sexual or social. And uncertain economic times don't help.

"With increasing cost-of-living pressures, we see an increase in what we call inheritance impatience," Ms Nicholl said.

"In some cases, children may be forced to move back home, which brings on stresses and pressure, and they can become financially abusive."

Ms Nicholl said the key to wider scale action is eradicating ageism.

"Elder abuse is a complex issue, but to more effectively prevent it, we have to keep tackling ageism.

"It won't disappear until we as a society fully recognise older people as functional and valuable contributors to society."

The Older Persons Advocacy Network will host an online conversation with members of its National Older Persons Reference Group on June 15 at 2pm AEST. It will involve discussion of the experiences of older people, and foster a dialogue around ageism and abuse. Click here for details.