Lunch & Learn: Dignity in action - respecting older people's voices

Lunch & Learn sessions are a platform for EAAA members to share insights, projects and research. In May, we heard from three presenters from Better Place Australia who explored the same topic from three different points along the service journey.

Dr Sarah Marko, Rhonda Withers and Graeme Westaway shared their insights into how social workers at Better Place Australia (BPA) are addressing issues such as capacity, misidentification, and client safety. They also presented case studies that show how social workers from Better Place Australia (BPA) are handling issues like capacity, misidentification and client safety.

The session investigated:

• How BPA’s social workers balance protection with self-determination
• Data from over 500 older Victorians exploring preferences when seeking support
• A closer look at how social support fits into the Draft National Plan.

Our presenters explained:

* Why social supports and interventions can be more reflective of the preferences of older people and their families
* The broad approach that a social worker uses balancing relational and protective needs
* The suitability of this approach to respond to capacity issues and address complex family dynamics.

The case studies illustrated the complexity of typical situations and how the application of policing practice or legal instruments may not yield the outcomes that were being sought.

This is a valuable session for community organisations, older people, family members and professionals working in services and systems that respond to the abuse and mistreatment of older people.

A bit about our speakers

Dr Sarah Marko
Research Officer, Better Place Australia

Sarah is a Research Officer within Better Place Australia's Centre for Better Relationships. She is a public health researcher who specialises in qualitative research methods and online surveys.

Rhonda Withers
General Manager Older Peoples Services at Better Place Australia

Rhonda is the General Manager Older Peoples Services at Better Place Australia. She is an experienced Registered Nurse and Senior Healthcare Manager with over 20 years of service in community and residential aged care across Australia. She excels in quality service outcomes, respectful service delivery, and strategic planning, having established the four Residential Aged Care Psychological Services program in Victoria. At Better Place Australia, she continues to champion exceptional support and advocacy for older Australians.

Graeme Westaway
Executive for Advocacy I Stakeholder Engagement I Digital I Communications

Graeme has held executive and senior leadership roles across the not-for-profit, mutual and corporate sectors. He is a board member of Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA). He was instrumental in the development of the social support model of response to Elder Abuse in Victoria. He has a passion for raising ageism awareness and respecting the right of all people to self-determination.