Victoria launches elder‑abuse implementation toolkit for aged‑care workers

A new implementation toolkit has been released to help practitioners identify, respond to, and prevent elder abuse among older Victorians. The resource offers action guides, checklists, flowcharts, sample policies and a self‑assessment tool for organisations providing at‑home aged‑care and community support services.

The toolkit targets managers, coordinators and frontline workers in domestic assistance, social support, transport, home maintenance and other in‑home services. It outlines the various forms of elder abuse – financial, psychological, physical, sexual, social and neglect – and highlights the complex personal, relational and structural factors that contribute to it. It also references the World Health Organization’s definition of elder abuse as a breach of trust causing harm or distress. Intended to strengthen capacity and uphold the dignity and rights of older people, the guide is applicable across a range of service types funded for aged‑care in Victoria, Australia.