Sad day for elder abuse as Labor cuts loom
Elder Abuse Awareness Day has turned sour for prevention workers and the elderly receiving their much-needed support.
A parliamentary inquiry hearing on the day workers should be celebrated revealed the Andrews Labor Government has cut funding to a critical program in the sector, meaning it will finish within weeks.
The state-funded Integrated Model of Care (IMOC), which provided for elder abuse prevention workers around the state, will not be funded beyond August 19.
On the final day of the Public Accounts and Estimates hearing, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Lizzie Blandthorn, was unable to explain how those workers will be replaced.
Shadow Minister for Disability and Aged Care, Tim Bull, said just one service provider has seen more than 1200 clients in the funded period and client demand has increased, with the waiting list currently between 8 to 12 weeks.
“Sadly, when the Minister was directly asked, she referred to IMOC as a ‘trial’, said it was time to ‘better integrate services’ and could not explain who will take up this role of dealing directly with vulnerable clients,” Mr Bull said.
“The nature of referrals to this service is alarming, having seen a 15 per cent rise in physical assaults and an increase in non-fatal strangulation and threats to kill towards the victim. All serious situations.
“It is a program that was meeting a critical need and should not be removed without a clearly defined replacement.”