MEMBER for Kalamunda Matthew Hughes MLA is committed to aged care, including supporting the fight against elder abuse.
The McGowan Labor government is putting patients first by delivering a $2.3 million package with a $150,000 per year funding guarantee to the WA Elder Abuse Helpline to support its important work tackling the growing issue.
The WA Elder Abuse Helpline, run by service provider Advocare with state government support, provides confidential advice for older people who may not have close friends or family to confide in with cases of suspected abuse.
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READ NOW“The helpline is a lifeline for seniors experiencing elder abuse and it is very important that it has the resources it needs,” Mr Hughes said.
Resources will also be directed towards providing training initiatives to help professionals who work with seniors to identify suspected abuse, new education and awareness resources for the community and a range of further measures.
With elder abuse victims sometimes socially isolated and reliant on their abuser for help with daily tasks, the state government will develop new training packages to help professionals who work in the banking, health and community services sectors to identify and report suspected elder abuse.
“Elder abuse continues to be misunderstood in the community, I have had many constituents attend my electorate office in Kalamunda raising concerns about how they are being treated or the treatment of a loved one” Mr Hughes said.
The state government will also be delivering record funding of $206 million on community-based palliative care over the next four years, in addition to specialist hospice and hospital palliative care.
“Minister for Health Roger Cook is hosting a Palliative Care Summit this month, which will shape the practical elements of palliative care for the future,” Mr Hughes said.
“Australia is ranked number three in the world for palliative care provision with WA’s Silver Chain community palliative care model one of the best examples.”
The McGowan government will introduce legislation on voluntary assisted dying this year and if passed, the legislation will give eligible adults who are terminally ill and suffering access to voluntary assisted dying.
“The matter will be decided in the parliament by conscience vote and I will be supporting the legislation,” Mr Hughes said.
If you or a loved one are suffering from elder abuse, call the Advocare WA Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 724 679.