It's horrific that there is a need for a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
It was marked this week - on Tuesday, June 15 - to "highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society - elder abuse".
Communities@Work and the ACT Government are continuing to create awareness of this insidious abuse and to highlight services for those in need.
A World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Expo is being held in Canberra on Monday, at the Weston Creek Community in Parkinson Street.
It will be open from 10am to 3pm, and encourages walk-ins all day.
A discussion panel will be held from 10.30am to noon.
Elder abuse is "any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect".
It can be a single act or ongoing abuse.
Communities@Work's seniors and disability services director Jo Cochrane said the expo would be "small but targeted".
"What we're trying to do with the expo is increase that awareness of elder abuse," she said.
"It's something that requires a big, broad community discussion. Sometimes people don't know where to go or who to talk to."
Communities@Work had also started a relationship with Cooleman Court retailers who might be a point of contact, even casually, for people needing help.
There are 15 stallholders at the expo including the Public Trustee, Carers ACT, Legal Aid ACT, Australian Federal Police and Dementia Australia.
