CONVERSATIONS 6 The Adult Safeguarding Unit is a dedicated South Australia-wide service that can respond to concerns about adults who may be vulnerable and experiencing abuse or mistreatment. The Unit has a strong focus on safeguarding the rights of adults vulnerable to abuse. An adult may be vulnerable due to age, disability, ill health, social isolation, dependence on others, or other disadvantage. Safeguarding is the action that a person, organisation or community takes to promote and protect the health, wellbeing and human rights of a person to live free from abuse or mistreatment. The Unit provides free confidential advice, information and support. They also take reports of actual or suspected abuse of an adult who may be vulnerable. Once a report has been received, the Unit must assess the report and take action, as outlined in the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995. Anyone can call the Adult Safeguarding Unit and you can remain anonymous if you wish. The Unit is located in Office for Ageing Well, in the Department for Health and Wellbeing. It was established on 1 October 2019 to respond to concerns of abuse in relation to adults vulnerable to abuse aged 65 years and over, and 50 years and over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. On 1 October 2020, we expanded our remit to include adults living with a disability. On 1 October 2022, the Unit’s service expanded further to respond to reports of abuse or mistreatment of any adult who may be vulnerable. Anyone with questions or concerns about actual or suspected abuse of an adult who may be vulnerable, can contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit for free confidential advice, information and support. For further information about Elder Abuse call the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated nationally each year on 15th June to highlight the issue of elder abuse. It reminds the community that older people have rights -the right to make their own decisions, to work, be safe and be treated with dignity and respect. The silos in Port Lincoln were bathed in purple light for the week commencing 15th June 2023 to acknowledge the importance of issue. What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is any deliberate or unintentional action, or lack of action, carried out by a person in a trusted relationship, which causes distress, harm, or serious risk of harm to an older person, or loss or damage to property or assets. Elder abuse is more likely to be carried out by a relative such as a son or daughter, spouse or domestic partner, grandchildren, friend or neighbour, or paid or unpaid carer. It is common for elder abuse to be experienced at home, in places visited regularly, or where services or care are accessed. However, it is not uncommon for elder abuse to remain hidden and continue unsuspected. Everyone has a right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. Learning about the different types and signs of elder abuse and known risk factors, will help you to recognise concerns and may help you take action. Feeling pressured to do things you don’t want to do, forced or tricked into signing papers, feeling restricted or unsafe, being called names, threatened or pushed are some signs. Even if you don’t know where to start, talking to someone trusted is the most important step toward gaining control of your circumstances. If you think that you or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse, don’t wait call the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310. What is Dignity of Risk? Dignity of risk in aged care means acknowledging that an older person remains autonomous, even if they require care. It emphasises a consumer’s right to accept risks they choose, as they have always done, to support their values and promote quality of life. Most of all, dignity of risk means the person is always at the centre of any decision – and is therefore all about consumer-centre care. If something you want to do involves some risk to you, your aged care provider should support you and your representative to understand the risks and manage them. they should respect your wishes and preferences. Your Aged care provider should: • Make sure you understand the risks to you and others • Work with you to manage those risks • Respect your decisions. What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding ensures providers are better placed to deliver safe and quality outcomes and reduces the likelihood of interventions; that is actions required to improve outcomes by understanding where risks might lie and what safeguards will prevent these risks from occurring. Clinical governance frameworks for aged care must address the competing tensions – between supporting dignity of risk and mitigating the risk of harm - balancing autonomy and legal duty of care to prevent harm and factor in accountability. Assessment and ongoing review are important as choices and decision-making capacity can change. Silos Turn Purple World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Dignity of Risk and Safeguarding The Adult Safeguarding Unit
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