Top 10 tips for older people to avoid elder abuse
It is estimated that at least five per cent of older people experience some kind of financial elder abuse by family members or carers. Common elder abuse scenarios include: attorneys…
Aged Care Royal Commission Update – Canberra hearing
The Aged Care Royal Commission into Quality and Safety held a hearing in Canberra from December 9 to 13. The Canberra hearing inquired into interfaces between the aged care system…
‘Tis the season… to be protected from financial elder abuse
Christmas is a joyful time for many, but as we know navigating the holiday season can be fraught with challenges. Whilst financial elder abuse may not be top of mind,…
Aged Care Royal Commission Update – Hobart hearing and Newcastle forum
The Royal Commission in to Aged Care Quality and Safety recently held a hearing in Hobart and conducted a Community Forum in Newcastle. Hobart hearing The Hobart Hearing inquired into…
Statement at the Aged Care Royal Commission Newcastle Community Forum
On Wednesday 27 November, our Principal, Catherine Henry, spoke at the Aged Care Royal Commission's Newcastle Community Forum. Her statement follows. I am a health and aged care lawyer practising…
Regional hearings and forums for the Royal Commission into Aged Care
The latest hearings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety have wrapped up in Mudgee. The three day hearing inquired into the shortfalls and challenges in aged…
The Royal Commission to Aged Care Quality and Safety Hearings
The second and third Melbourne hearings of the Royal Commission to Aged Care Quality and Safety have inquired into diversity in aged care and the aged care workforce, respectively. Hearing…
Redraft of the aged care act needed
The Aged Care Act 1997 needs to be rewritten to improve safety and quality in aged care says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) ahead of the release of the preliminary…
Younger people in residential aged care – Melbourne Aged Care Royal Commission
The first Melbourne hearing inquired into younger people in residential aged care, with a focus on impact, drivers and appropriateness of allocation policy as well as how to best support…
Aged Care Home Death | Our Client’s Story
When our clients' 87-year-old mother was admitted to an aged care home in the Hunter region, they had no idea that in just four short months she would suffer injury…
Explosive evidence from the Brisbane Aged Care Royal Commission hearing
This month’s Brisbane hearings of the Aged Care Royal Commission highlighted fundamental problems with the regulation of our aged care system. As well as nursing home residents, their families and…
Mildura hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
Mildura was host to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearing between July 29 and 31. According to senior counsel assisting the commission, Peter Gray, QC, the town…
Darwin and Cairns hearings of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The most recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearings in Darwin and Cairns highlighted some of the fundamental problems in Australia’s aged care sector - a lack…
Perth hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The Perth hearing of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety inquired into the nature of person-centred care, advanced care planning and palliative care services. As is the…
Broome Hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission
The Broome hearing of the Aged Care Royal Commission has been completed and the Perth hearing is now underway, June 24 to 28. The Broome public hearing inquired into access…
What Happens to Your Social Media Accounts When You Die
Have you ever thought about what happens to your social media accounts when you die? Your digital footprint can remain long after death. However, each social media platform has its…
Elder abuse: key issues and emerging evidence
The Australian Institute of Family Studies has release a paper Elder abuse: key issues and emerging evidence. The paper provides an overview of elder abuse in Australia. It discusses key…
Should reporting of elder abuse be mandatory?
The concept of mandating the reporting of elder abuse is controversial and draws parallels with mandatory reporting of child abuse. While mandatory reporting has existed in some US states for…
Sydney hearings of the Royal Commission complete
The Aged Care Royal Commission held its latest hearings in Sydney. They took place between May 6 and 8 and between May 13 and 17. The public hearing inquired into:…
Aged Care Facility Precipitates Avoidable Death | Our Client’s Story
We assisted a client in her claim against an aged care facility concerning the preventable death of her mother (Mrs S) whilst she was under the facility’s care. Mrs S…
Negligent Care Within Aged Care Facilities All Too Common | Our Client’s Story
We acted for the daughter and granddaughter of a man (Mr W) who died as a result of the negligent care he received at an aged cared facility in Parramatta,…
Unsafe Conditions in Retirement Village | Our Client’s Story
We acted for a client regarding the unsafe conditions and poor treatment she received as a resident in a retirement village. Our client was unable to live peacefully in her…
Elder abuse should be viewed as a criminal offence
You may have seen a recent news story about two elderly individuals with dementia who had $1.6 million siphoned from their estate by their sons. No criminal charges have been…
Vulnerable older Australians miss out in Budget
This week’s Federal Budget did little for older Hunter people, particularly the growing number of vulnerable people needing aged care at home or in facilities. Our politicians all say older…
Adelaide hearings of the Royal Commission now complete
Hearings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety were held in Adelaide during February and March with more than 28 key witnesses taking part. The first public…
Hunter law firm first to use University of Newcastle designed elder abuse toolkit
Hunter-based law firm, Catherine Henry Lawyers, is one of the first organisations in Australia to use a new, first of its kind, tool-kit designed to help the nation’s lawyers better…
Aged Care Royal Commission Public Hearings Start Monday 11 Feb
Welcome to our first new Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Blog. The first public hearings of the Commonwealth Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety will be…
Royal Commission into Aged Care begins
The preliminary hearings for the Royal Commission into aged care commenced on 18 January 2019. There was a call for submissions regarding: The quality of aged care services being delivered;…
I entered into a granny flat arrangement with my son – how do I protect my interests when circumstances change or there is a falling out?
In 2018 we received an enquiry from an elderly woman looking for assistance in relation to granny flat arrangements. The client was in her 70s and required assistance around her…
Growing older – things you need to know about accommodation options
At one of our free Growing Older community forums we had a number of experts share the key topics people need to know about various accommodation options available to people…