Useful contact numbers

EMERGENCY, POLICE, AMBULANCE
Non-Emergency Police
Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline
Freecall
Mobile/Interstate Calls
Available 9am – 5pm week days excluding public holidays
Advocacy Tasmania
More info Website

Advocacy Tasmania operates the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline providing information to callers and referrals for older persons experiencing abuse.

Advocacy Tasmania can also support older people to resolve their concerns and they have been doing this for over 30 years.  Their clients say that having someone independent to talk to and who is on their side can make a world of difference.  Their service is free and confidential.  Advocates can provide information and discuss options.  After that, the person can decide whether they would like their Advocate to take their concern further, help the person to do so, or do nothing further.  The decision is entirely up to the older person and their Advocate will only work at their client’s direction.

Advocates support their clients by:

  • Listening to what their client wants to happen and providing tailored information and options
  • Explaining client’s rights
  • Supporting the client to have their say and be understood
  • Explaining service options and how to best access those services
  • Helping their client to access important information e.g from service providers and banks
  • Accessing medical assessments or medical reports
  • Supporting the client to organise or change power of attorney and/or enduring guardianship arrangements

Contact details for the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline are: Freecall 1800 441 169 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm), text 0457 806 963, or email eahelpline@yoursaytas.org.

For more information or assistance to resolve an issue that’s worrying you, Advocacy Tasmania can be contacted at: Freecall: 1800 005 131, text 0457 806 963, or email contact@yoursaytas.org.

To learn more about Advocacy Tasmania, please visit their website www.advocacytasmania.org.au.

Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission
Carer Gateway
Carers Tasmania (Statewide service available all areas)
COMPASS – Guiding Action on Elder Abuse
More info Website

Visit the COMPASS website for information about elder abuse. The website also has a support directory and resources. COMPASS was created by Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA), with funding from the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department.

The freecall1800 ELDERHelpnumber is a collaboration between the Australian, state and territory governments and redirects to the relevant local service provider. You can download the 1800ELDERHelp poster here (English), or translated versions in Arabic, Dutch, Filipino, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Malaysian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese can be downloaded here.

COTA Tasmania (Council on the Ageing)
More info Website

COTA Tasmania is a statewide non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the interests of older Tasmanians. As part of this, it provides information to the public about the rights of older people, how to recognise and protect yourself against elder abuse, and where you can get help.

Contact COTA Tasmania to talk about these issues, or to book free peer education for community groups and information sessions for staff and volunteers who work with older people. Each year on 15 June, you are warmly invited to join one of COTA Tasmania’s public events to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Dementia Support Australia
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service
Family Violence Response and Referral Line
Health Complaints Commissioner
NARI – Elder abuse and dementia videos
National Dementia Helpline
Public Guardian
More info Website

The Public Guardian is an independent statutory officer established by the Tasmanian Government under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995. The Public Guardian is charged with promoting and protecting the rights, interests, safety and well-being of adults with disabilities, including older people with dementia and other cognitive impairments. The primary role of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is to act as the guardian for adults with a disability that results in impaired decision-making capacity, when appointed to do so by the Guardianship and Administration Board. The OPG provides advice and guidance to the public about making guardianship and administration applications to the Board, appointing enduring guardians and making enduring powers of attorney - and what options there are if these arrangements aren’t working well. The OPG is also available to provide information and education to service providers. More information about the Public Guardian is available at www.publicguardian.tas.gov.au.

Public Trustee
Relationships Australia Tasmania – Elder Relationships Service
Senior Assist – Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
Translating and Interpreting Service 24 hour service
Victims of Crime Service
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission - Serious Incident and Response Scheme

To ask questions or for more information call the Helpline on 1800 441 169.

Elder Abuse Tasmania