Elder Abuse Services
Age Concern Otago provides a variety of Elder Abuse Response Services to improve the quality of life of older people/kaumatua in abusive situations and to prevent abuse by providing information, advocacy, education programmes, and support.
Elder abuse Response Service (EARS)
Age Concern Otago provides a free and confidential Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) for the Otago region.
Our professional Elder Abuse staff work with older people / kaumātua and their carers providing support and advocacy so that older people can be happy, healthy, and safe from harm.
They can help by
Listening and discussing problems relating to abuse and neglect.
Assisting older people / kaumātua to improve their quality of life
Offering options which may include referral to other professional agencies.
Supporting informed choices
Working with a resource team to assist victims, caregivers, and their families.
If you have concerns about the way you or someone you know is being treated, spoken to, or cared for, or if you are concerned about how money is spent and property is being used, we offer a free and confidential service to help. Please contact us as guided below.
Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) Referrals
If you're looking to refer yourself or someone you know to our service, please use the link below.
Education and professional developement
Age Concern Otago has an experienced educator who provides education, professional development and awareness sessions to aged care workers and health professionals, community groups, organisations with an interest in the wellbeing of older people.
Independent Advocate
Age Concern Otago offers an experienced and impartial Resident's Advocate to facilitate resident meetings in care facilities. The Advocate is someone neutral to listen to residents, to validate any concerns, to liaise with management when the resident feels they can’t and to provide feedback to management and reaffirm when everything is working well.
To book or for further information, click here.
