Home care workers to the rescue
Finding their elderly client being abused at home, here’s what these care workers did next.
Elder abuse phone line
1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) is a free call phone number that automatically redirects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse with the phone service in their state or territory.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates that between 2% and 14% of older Australians experience elder abuse, with emotional and financial abuse being the most common forms.
In 2017-18 alone, over 10,900 calls were made to elder abuse helplines across the country.
Two courageous female home care staff who took action to protect a Newcastle woman from severe elder abuse did so in the face of the woman’s son confronting and verbally abusing them.
The two women, employed by Hammondcare, relocated their client from her home to emergency respite care after uncovering evidence of financial and physical abuse.
The client, whose identity has been withheld, disclosed that her son controlled her debit card, restricted access to her pension, and prevented her from taking prescribed medications.
Felicity Murray, 34, a care manager, and Danielle Newton, 35, a registered nurse, have been awarded the company’s Mission in Action award for their “bravery and advocacy”.
The award citation said: “Mrs Newton and Miss Murray demonstrated exceptional courage and care in securing emergency respite for this vulnerable client.
“They also supported her in contacting the elder abuse hotline and the police while she was hospitalised.”
The women discovered signs of malnutrition and unexplained bruising, and that the woman had been confined to a bed in the lounge room.
They secured emergency respite care for the client, explaining to her son that it was necessary for her wound management.
They also assisted her in contacting the elder abuse hotline and the police while she was hospitalised.
However, the pair allegedly faced verbal threats from the client’s son while facilitating her relocation. Newcastle Police attended the scene, but no charges have been laid.
Ms Murray and Ms Newton uncovered the extent of the financial abuse through the client’s bank statements, which revealed her entire pension was being controlled by her son, who allegedly spent it on gaming and substance abuse.
The client also confided that her son had previously physically assaulted her.
Despite the risks, the duo helped the client pack her personal belongings, all while managing threats from her son.
“He was shouting, ‘You are not taking my mum anywhere!’” Mrs Newton recalled, admitting fears for their safety during the confrontation.
The client confided to the two women that she felt unsafe at home and feared returning due to the potential repercussions from her son.
She was found an emergency respite placement while she awaited an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment for the required funding approvals to take up a permanent residential aged care place.
The woman now lives in an aged care home in inner Newcastle. The HammondCare Foundation supported the client’s transition by funding new clothes and toiletries to help her settle into her new environment.
Related reading: Hello Care, Inside Ageing
