Lunch & Learn: Relationships in later life - what the data reveals

Lunch & Learn sessions are a platform for EAAA members to share insights, projects and research. In July we'll be hearing from Briohny Kennedy and Nick Tebbey from Relationships Australia National.

What this webinar is about

This session Nick and Briohny shared key findings from Relationships Australia’s nationally representative Relationship Indicators survey, offering fresh insights into how older Australians experience their most important relationships. While the survey wasn’t designed to measure elder abuse specifically, it reveals valuable information about potential risk factors, protective influences and the support networks older people rely. All of this factors are highly relevant to elder abuse prevention.

What this discussion investigated

Australia’s ageing populations is growing and with this growth, there is an increasing awareness of elder abuse and neglect. Understanding how older people experience relationships – the connections they value, the challenges they face and the support they seek – can better inform prevention, intervention and policy responses.

Drawing on data from the 2022 and 2024 Relationship Indicators surveys, this presentation explored the relational landscape of older Australians. This nuanced picture can help to guide clinicians, researchers and policy makers.

Nick and Briohny took us through key findings from the survey as they relate to older Australians including the positives, the pressures and how individuals cope and respond to relationship stress.

They explored:

• Patterns of social connection and loneliness in later life
• How older people seek help or support in difficult situations
• Who they turn to, what influences those decisions and the barriers they encounter
• What the data suggests about opportunities to better prevent and respond to elder abuse.

These insights will help inform practice and policy for those working to support older people and safeguard their wellbeing.

Watch the recording of this session on our YouTube channel:

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A BIT ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

Briohny Kennedy
Research Communications and Projects Officer
Relationships Australia’s National Office

Briohny Kennedy is the Research Communications and Projects Officer at Relationships Australia’s National Office. She is a public health researcher with extensive experience in research project management and community development, having worked for two decades within the community, government and tertiary sectors. Briohny is nearing completion of a PhD with the Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, titled ‘Assault-related death and homicide in older Australians: an epidemiological study’. Her earlier research background includes community nutrition, environmental sustainability, work-related fatalities and premature death in residential aged care services. Her interests include improving our understanding of interpersonal violence, recovery and resilience to trauma and other public health priorities.

Nick Tebbey
National Executive Officer
Relationships Australia National Office

Nick Tebbey is the National Executive Officer of the Relationships Australia Federation. After working for over a decade in private legal practice, Nick has worked for a decade in the community sector, including for the last six years with Relationships Australia, a leading provider of family and children’s services in Australia.

In his role as National Executive Officer at Relationships Australia, Nick is proud to be heading up a passionate National Office team, and representing the Federation in a range of policy, advocacy and research opportunities. His team is responsible for delivery of Relationships Australia’s popular Neighbours Every Day campaign, promoting the benefits of social connection and belonging for everyone.