Caryl Williamson Age NI Marian Cinnamond Alzheimer’s Society Uniting Against Elder Abuse 7 October 2010

Age NI In 2010, Age Concern Northern Ireland and Help the Aged formed a new charity called Age NI. We believe that age needs respect, empathy and support. Most of all, age needs a strong voice.

Age NI Advocacy We work with people of 50+. with those who experience or are at risk of abuse. in residential care (limited pilot) cannot access appropriate levels of community care

Alzheimer’s Society Work with people with dementia at risk of or experiencing elder abuse Often involves non-instructed advocacy

Uniting Against Elder Abuse Funded by Comic Relief Provides independent advocacy for older people at risk of or experiencing elder abuse

What is advocacy? “Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.” The Advocacy Charter Action for Advocacy

Types of Advocacy Instructed advocacy Non-instructed advocacy Professional/paid advocacy Peer advocacy Citizen/volunteer advocacy Professional/embedded advocacy

Why independent advocacy? People tell us that the process of being listened to, sometimes for the first time, is invaluable. They value a service which is impartial and independent of other professional organisations

Categories of abuse Physical Emotional/Psychological Financial Sexual Neglect Discriminatory Institutional

Themes and Issues Family dynamics Shame/fear Blackmail Disbelief/not taken seriously Communication/memory problems Dependency Carer stress

Policy issues Access to justice Need for PSNI training Lack of consistency Older people not in contact with Social Services Support for relatives limited

Policy Context HPSS (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (NI) Order 2003 Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability Northern Ireland Dementia Strategy Proposed Mental Capacity legislation

Quote from client “It made such a difference just to have someone listen to me and to know that you were on my side”

Challenges for NGOs Overarching commitment to client Short term funding Funders look for novelty rather than continuity Project specific funding Is the answer commissioning? Comprehensive spending review

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