Support services
If you or someone you know is experiencing Elder Abuse in Australia you may find the following support services can provide you with information or assistance. If you know a service that is missing from this page - please contact us.
Aged Care Advocacy
The National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) is funded by the Australian Government. It provides free, confidential advocacy support and information to consumers—or potential consumers—of Australian Government subsidised Home Care Packages and residential aged care services. There are nine community-based NACAP organisations operating nationally, one in each state and territory, and two in the Northern Territory. NACAP organisations provide information and support to consumers or potential consumers of aged care services, their carers and families about their rights and responsibilities when accessing services. A list of organisations is provided below or you can all the National Aged Care Advocacy line on 1800 700 600 (free call) to contact a NACAP provider in your area.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS). Phone: (02) 6242 5060 or website: www.spirit.net.au/~adacas/
New South Wales
The Aged-care Rights Service (TARS). Phone: (02) 9281 3600 or website: www.tars.com.au
Northern Territory
Aged & Disability Rights Team, Darwin Community Legal Service. Phone: (08) 8982 1111 or website: www.dcls.org.au/aged-disability.html
Queensland
Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy Inc. (QADA). Phone: (07) 3637 6000 or website: www.qada.org.au
South Australia
Aged Rights Advocacy Service Inc. (ARAS) . Phone: (08) 8232 5377 or website: www.sa.agedrights.asn.au
Tasmania
Advocacy Tasmanian Inc. Phone: (03) 6224 2240 or website: www.advocacytasmania.org.au
Victoria
Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA) . Phone: 1800 700 600 or website: www.era.asn.au
Western Australia
AdvoCare. Phone: (08) 9479 7566 or website: www.advocare.org.au
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS). Phone: (02) 6242 5060 or website: www.spirit.net.au/~adacas/
New South Wales
The Aged-care Rights Service (TARS). Phone: (02) 9281 3600 or website: www.tars.com.au
Northern Territory
Aged & Disability Rights Team, Darwin Community Legal Service. Phone: (08) 8982 1111 or website: www.dcls.org.au/aged-disability.html
Queensland
Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy Inc. (QADA). Phone: (07) 3637 6000 or website: www.qada.org.au
South Australia
Aged Rights Advocacy Service Inc. (ARAS) . Phone: (08) 8232 5377 or website: www.sa.agedrights.asn.au
Tasmania
Advocacy Tasmanian Inc. Phone: (03) 6224 2240 or website: www.advocacytasmania.org.au
Victoria
Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA) . Phone: 1800 700 600 or website: www.era.asn.au
Western Australia
AdvoCare. Phone: (08) 9479 7566 or website: www.advocare.org.au
Other services
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: was established to assist people affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence to achieve recovery. The organisation provides a professional 24 hour telephone and online, crisis and trauma counselling service to anyone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence
Phone: 1800 737 732 or website: www.1800respect.org.au
Lifeline: provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. People call Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support service about many things including: anxiety; depression; loneliness; abuse and trauma; physical or mental wellbeing; suicidal thoughts or attempts; stresses from work, family or society; or information for friends and family
Phone: 131114 or website: www.lifeline.org.au
Aged care complaints scheme: is available to anyone who has a complaint or concern about an Australian Government-subsidised aged care service (residential or community care). If you don’t want to discuss your concern with the approved provider or you are unable to resolve your complaint with them, you can contact the Aged Care Complaints Scheme.
Phone: 1800 550 552 or website:
www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/ageing-complaints-index.htm
Aged Care Commissioner: If you are not satisfied with the Aged Care Complaints Scheme’s decision or how the Scheme handled your complaint, you can contact the Aged Care Commissioner to ask for a free review. The Aged Care Commissioner is independent to the Scheme.
Phone: 1800 500 294 or Website: www.agedcarecommissioner.net.au
Seniors Rights Victoria: is the primary, government-funded destination for older Victorians, their friends and family members seeking information and support relating to elder abuse.
Phone: 1300 368 821 or Web site: www.seniorsrights.org.au
CASA (Centres Against Sexual Assault) Forum: is the peak body of the 15 Centres Against Sexual Assault, and the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line. A free confidential 24 hour emergency or crisis care service is available for victim/survivors who have recently been sexually assaulted. This includes crisis counselling support and may include access to medical care and legal processes.
Phone: 1800 806 292 or website: www.casa.org.au
Phone: 1800 737 732 or website: www.1800respect.org.au
Lifeline: provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services. People call Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis support service about many things including: anxiety; depression; loneliness; abuse and trauma; physical or mental wellbeing; suicidal thoughts or attempts; stresses from work, family or society; or information for friends and family
Phone: 131114 or website: www.lifeline.org.au
Aged care complaints scheme: is available to anyone who has a complaint or concern about an Australian Government-subsidised aged care service (residential or community care). If you don’t want to discuss your concern with the approved provider or you are unable to resolve your complaint with them, you can contact the Aged Care Complaints Scheme.
Phone: 1800 550 552 or website:
www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/ageing-complaints-index.htm
Aged Care Commissioner: If you are not satisfied with the Aged Care Complaints Scheme’s decision or how the Scheme handled your complaint, you can contact the Aged Care Commissioner to ask for a free review. The Aged Care Commissioner is independent to the Scheme.
Phone: 1800 500 294 or Website: www.agedcarecommissioner.net.au
Seniors Rights Victoria: is the primary, government-funded destination for older Victorians, their friends and family members seeking information and support relating to elder abuse.
Phone: 1300 368 821 or Web site: www.seniorsrights.org.au
CASA (Centres Against Sexual Assault) Forum: is the peak body of the 15 Centres Against Sexual Assault, and the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line. A free confidential 24 hour emergency or crisis care service is available for victim/survivors who have recently been sexually assaulted. This includes crisis counselling support and may include access to medical care and legal processes.
Phone: 1800 806 292 or website: www.casa.org.au
(c) 2013 celebrateageing.com