Elder Abuse Action Australia held its annual conference in Adelaide from 22-24 July. The conference theme of TURN UP THE VOLUME! focused on the need for us all to take a stand against the abuse of older people. 350 delegates registered to attend the event in person, with an additional 80–100 attending virtually.

Michele Padbury, Senior Financial Counsellor at VincentCare Victoria, attended as a representative of the financial counselling sector. On behalf of FCVic, Michele delivered a breakout presentation on identifying and responding to financial elder abuse.

Michele’s delivery followed a presentation by academic, Dr Peta Cook, on her research into intergenerational financial assistance and the risk of elder abuse. This was complemented by Michele’s presentation, which drew on FCVic’s Stronger than Before project and hands-on financial counselling practice in preventing and addressing financial elder abuse. The presentation was well received by the 30 attendees of the session, who gained practical tips for identifying the presence of financial elder abuse, and making appropriate referrals to financial counsellors.

Other highlights of the event included the two keynote presentations. Reporter Tracey Curro spoke of the personal and harrowing experience of elder abuse that her father endured in the last 18 months of his life. While straight-talking activist, Jane Caro, delivered an engaging call-to-action against ageism which resonated with the audience.

Conference delegates were inspired by experts from a range of backgrounds with important messages about:

• inclusion – putting elders at the centre of decision making about them
• language – shifting away from terms that imply a burden of ageing
• community – the need for local, community-led services in providing culturally appropriate responses
• empowerment – supported decision making as a spectrum of decision making, rather than a forfeiture of autonomy
• best practice principles – guidelines for interviewing people at risk of elder abuse

The event was an excellent opportunity to learn, share and connect on an important (but too often invisible) issue. Our thanks go to Michele for her work as an expert and ambassador for the sector, as well as Lyn Dundon and Susan Boag from the FCVic team for their support with the presentation.