Using Legal and Psycho-social Interventions to Respond to Elder Abuse (September 2025)

Capability level: Emerging and Evolving

Event description:

Elder Abuse is experienced by a growing percentage of Australians aged 65 and older and all older Australians will be at risk of being abused at some point in their lives.

As such, the ability to respond to Elder Abuse should be considered a core competency for all social workers in the same vein as child protection.

Building on our original presentation in 2021, we aim to demonstrate how to recognise elder abuse, how to respond to elder abuse using a multidisciplinary approach and how to navigate some of the associated complexities practical, social, relational, legal and systemic.

We will use deidentified case-studies to illustrate how we employ a lawyer-social worker model to support clients who present to our elder abuse legal service in Adelaide. We will discuss the types of abuse that have presented, their impact of the abuse on our clients and the complexities and challenges we face when responding.

Who should attend?

Social workers employed within the community, acute and subacute hospitals, residential aged care facilities and those working in aged care, older person’s and adult mental health and general practice.

Can't attend live? Your registration includes a copy of the presentation slides and 2 weeks' free access to the event recording.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify and differentiate the types, causes, and impacts of elder abuse, and distinguish these from family conflict and carer burnout.
• Apply psychosocial and legal intervention strategies in multidisciplinary responses to elder abuse, including the role of social workers and legal professionals.
• Navigate the complexities of elder abuse cases by assessing capacity, dependence, and systemic factors, and by locating and reporting appropriate support services.

Event structure:

Introduction

Learning Session 1: Recognising Elder Abuse (20 minutes)

Learning Activity 1: Case Scenario Discussion

Learning Session 2: Responding Through Multidisciplinary Practice (20 minutes)

Learning Activity 2: Reflecting on Case Study

Learning Session 3: Action and Support Pathways (10 minutes)

Q&A and Conclusion

Can't attend live? Your registration includes a copy of the presentation slides and 2 weeks' free access to the event recording.

AASW Credentials: Mental Health, Family Violence, Older Persons