Elder Abuse Prevention Fund
The Elder Abuse Prevention Fund provides funding to projects that focus on the violence prevention needs within the older population in New Zealand.
Priority has been given to projects and initiatives that:
• show collaboration with other organisations and community groups
• include diverse communities within the the older population (65+) including Māori, Pacific, ethnic, rainbow, and disabled communities.
11 successful organisations will share in $250,000 to fund projects that help prevent elder abuse.
The successful projects below:
Organisation | Project |
Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura - Outing Violence (Waikato) |
Takatāpui and Rainbow Elders and Wellbeing Through the use of a survey distributed nationally, and key interviews with a diverse range of Takatāpui and Rainbow Elders, this project aims to understand more deeply how elder abuse, neglect and exploitation are experienced by Takatāpui and Rainbow Elders in Aotearoa New Zealand. |
Returned Services Aotearoa (Rotorua) |
Waiariki Elder Abuse Prevention Project To generate greater professional unity by further developing inter-professional networks and other communication systems, and a professional development programme, with and for providers and their supervisors, which will culminate in the Waiariki Elder Abuse Prevention Conference in Rotorua in June 2023. |
Te Ahi Kaa (Waikato) |
Kia Tupato To provide safe conversations with kaumatua and their whānau about preventing elder financial abuse, including providing one to one whanau and individual education on how to keep their money safe, promoting public awareness by attending marae and other older people community events, and raising awareness of scams and frauds that target older people and ways to keep safe. |
University of Otago (National) |
Creating Nationwide Opportunities to Improve Detection of Older Adult Abuse To improve detection of older adult abuse that is largely unidentified and under-reported, by altering the International Resident Assessment Instrument (interRAI) criteria for suspicion of older adult abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand, and to validate the modification using the national dataset of 572,000 assessments. |
Family Focus (Rotorua) |
Connect and Care This project will offer an abuse awareness and prevention programme to older people and their carers. The programme will comprise of an abuse prevention education session followed by an activity to help reinforce learning and build relationships with other participants - 15 programmes will be run. |
Kilbirnie/Lyall Bay Community Centre (Wellington) |
Connection Office - a safe and trusted place To develop a dedicated Connection Office space where older people can connect, seek advice and share. There will also be a particular focus on early contact and engagement with older people that enables prevention of abuse or harm, and the ability to refer users to other dedicated specialist organisations that can provide assistance and ensure preventative measures are implemented. |
Ngai Tai Iwi Authority (Bay of Plenty) |
Te whakanui I nga Pakeke Katoa - A Celebration and Acknowledgement of the Gift of our Pakeke This project will assist whānau and the wider community to recognise elder abuse and respond effectively to protect pakeke and keep all pakeke safe. The project also aims to lift the mauri of all pakeke by maintaining strong social connections, celebrating mana whenua and cultural identity. |
Porirua Kapiti Community Law Centre (Wellington) |
Elder Abuse and Enduring Power of Attorney (EPAs) This project will involve hosting a series of talks on elder abuse and the value of having Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs), aimed at those who do not usually access legal services. |
Wesley Community Action (Kapiti/Wellington) |
Older Persons Team (OPT) Senior Advocate Role To pilot an OPT Senior Advocate role, as a new role that complements the existing services that Wesley Community Action undertakes as an existing Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) provider. The role would provide information to raise awareness and prevention of elder abuse specifically on a one-on-one basis, as well as act as a conduit for referral to other specialist services or agencies that can provide assistance as required. |
Manchester House (Manawatu) |
Senior Care Advocate To pilot a dedicated Senior Care Advocate role that would enhance existing Senior Hub services by offering a one-on-one rather than group focus. The role would provide information to raise awareness and prevention of elder abuse specifically, as well as act as a conduit for referral to other specialist services or agencies that can provide assistance as required. |
Age Concern Hamilton (Waikato) |
A commitment to safe ageing in place for Hamilton’s migrant and refugee community This project is a partnership between Age Concern Hamilton and the Hamilton Settlement Centre, to create awareness of safe ageing in place and prevent elder abuse towards older migrant and refugee communities. |