As Australia’s ageing population grows so too does concern for elder abuse. It is suggested that as many as 185,000 people in Australia experience some form of elder abuse or neglect each year.
NSW Trustee and Guardian play an important role in helping people in the community to plan ahead to protect themselves.
Research tells us that financial abuse appears to be the most common form of abuse experienced by elderly people so its important to plan ahead to protect your rights and choices by making a Will, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship.
Make a Will
A Will is an important legal document that sets out your wishes for when you die. Making a Will is the best way to help ensure your assets will be distributed to the people you want, according to your wishes.
Appoint a Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a person or trustee organisation the legal authority to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf.
There are two types:
A General Power of Attorney: can only be used while you have capacity to make decisions for yourself. For example, if you go on a long holiday and need someone to manage bills at home for a short period.
An Enduring Power of Attorney: continues if you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself, for example, if you become ill or are injured.
Appoint an Enduring Guardian
An Enduring Guardian is a person you choose to make decisions about your health and lifestyle if you can’t. These include lifestyle, medical treatment, accommodation and welfare decisions.
Sometimes attorneys and guardians are the perpetrators of elder abuse, which is why it’s so important to think carefully about who you appoint. If anyone has concerns about the integrity of an attorney or guardian, they can make an application to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the appointment.