Getting rid of the bad apples: Preventing elder abuse
By Belle Hann
Volunteers
in aged care will now require police background checks according to new
reforms announced by Senator the Hon Santo Santoro, Federal Minister
for Ageing on 10 April 2006. Broad changes to care and security
standards in the aged care sector will be introduced as a measure
against elder abuse and neglect.
The new changes exclude individuals with a criminal history of "serious violence or abuse against vulnerable people from volunteering with the elderly. Of course it is not a guarantee that abuse will never be perpetrated by vile individuals … but it is better than what we have currently," the Senator stated. "These changes will add a further layer of protection aimed at preventing abuse."
But this is not enough, according to Glen Bunney, National President, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA). Speaking to the Sunshine Coast Daily on 12 April 2006, Mr Bunney expressed the need for rigorous screening throughout an aged care placement, not just 'a one-off event'. He proposes a 'Grey Card' system, similar to the Blue Card system that assesses childcare workers every two years for suitability and safety with children. "I could go and get a police check today and do something wrong tomorrow and no one would make the connection. They would with the Blue Card."
Volunteering Australia admits that organisations require more than background checks, that "they should implement a broad pre-recruitment volunteer screening process, rather than relying on police checks." One particular weakness of background checks is the failure to find out other relevant information such as current investigations and complaints against an individual.
Aged care volunteers who have been convicted of non-violent offences may be required to demonstrate that their criminal history will not affect their conduct working in the aged care environment. Les Jackson from the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU) is concerned that new restrictions may adversely affect volunteers and aged care workers. "It depends on the relevance and the context of what they've committed. What if it's just a minor driving offence or if they had a conviction when they were 19 and are now 64?" he said.
The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person." Elder abuse can occur in an institutional or a domestic setting, and is hard to police due to the victim's frailty, isolation and/or mental condition. It deserves to be treated as severely as domestic violence and child abuse and it is liable to criminal prosecution.
Mandatory reporting of elder abuse is another potential measure that may be introduced by the government. This type of monitoring means that volunteers must report any cases of alleged or suspected abuse to the police.
"It's the responsibility of the volunteer to identify and report suspected abuse," said Les Jackson. "There's a hell of a lot of volunteers in aged care, and our concern is that they are aware of their duty of care if they see a situation of elder abuse."
The many potential signs of elder abuse include:
- poor assistance with basic needs such as hygiene and food
- misuse or improper use of a victim's money
- unexplained lacerations and bruising
- incorrect medication for illness.
"We get a lot of anonymous tip-offs from volunteers," said Lynda Saltarelli, a vocal aged care advocate from Aged Care Crisis. "And we say to people, make a complaint to police, because this is assault and it is illegal. If you don't get a response, go to the media."
Senator Santoro indicated he will give the Complaints Resolution Scheme,
which is currently responsible for aged care complaints, "greater
power to investigate complaints … and provide genuine results for
residents and their families." While these new reforms indicate
that elder abuse is beginning to be taken very seriously, the Senator
is quick to point out that the majority of aged care workers, including
volunteers, "provide excellent care for nursing home residents... Obviously there are bad apples in every barrel."
If you suspect a case of elder abuse, please phone the Complaints Resolution
Scheme on 1800 550 552 or your nearest police station. Support the
prevention of elder abuse and wear something purple on World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June 2006.
More information
Read Senator the Hon Santo Santoro, Federal Minister for Ageing's media release.
Read Volunteering Australia's Police Check Information Sheet 
Visit Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA)
Visit the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU)
Visit the World Health Organization's prevention of elder abuse information site
Visit Aged Care Crisis
Visit the Complaints Resolution Scheme
Find out more about duty of care with the School of Volunteer Management.
The Centre
for Volunteering [ABN 28 002 416 024]
Level 2, 228 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
T: 02 9261 3600 | F: 02 9261 4033 | E: info@volunteering.com.au
www.volunteering.com.au