Evaluation of the National plan to respond to the abuse of older Australians: final report

By Jade McEwan, Rachel Carson, Rae Kaspiew, John De Maio, Briony Horsfall

The abuse of older people has devastating physical, emotional and social consequences for older Australians, their families and communities. At least one in six older Australians experience abuse, and that when abuse occurs, only around one third of victims seek help.

The key policy framework for tackling this abuse, the National plan to respond to the abuse of older Australians 2019-2023, was recommended in the Australian Law Reform Commission’s 2017 Elder abuse – a national legal response final report.

This independent evaluation finds that the National Plan is achieving its aims of uniting governments, agencies and organisations in tackling the abuse of older people.

The evaluation highlights a range of important achievements under the National Plan, including the delivery of Australia’s first National Elder Abuse prevalence Study, funding of innovative service responses, and a range of awareness raising initiatives.

Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) , 2024. 209p.