Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (APEA)
The Aged Rights Advocacy Service has had a positive experience of working with a number of key agencies to respond to the abuse and exploitation of older people. The Legal Services Commission, the Office of Public Advocate, the Public Trustee and the South Australia Police worked together with ARAS in 1998 to form the Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (APEA website).
APEA has worked collaboratively to raise awareness and champion the rights of older people. These agencies consist of Legal Services Commission, the Office of Public Advocate, the Public Trustee and the South Australia Police.
The advice this group promotes is:
"Safeguards need to be considered in case of illness, accidents, mental incapacity or because someone you trust may try to take advantage of you."
For example, APEA recognises that one form of financial exploitation is the misuse of a Power of Attorney.
APEA raises awareness of the range of issues related to financial exploitation and promotes safeguards that can be written into Enduring Power of Attorney documents.
A series of 5 pamphlets have been developed to assist in safeguarding your finances. Visit www.apea.org.au for more information on these pamphlets and other publications.
Whilst the writing in of safeguards will not protect 100% against financial abuse it will ensure clarity of the older person's wishes and allow for early detection if things are not going well.
Link to APEA video and how ARAS can support you if experiencing abuse by family and friends: https://youtu.be/gsGtMrujNWM
