When something doesn’t feel quite right

On 15 June each year, Australia marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

It is not an easy topic to discuss. Most of us would prefer to believe that older Australians are spending their later years surrounded by people who respect, support and care for them.

The reality, however, is not always so straightforward.

As professionals working in retirement living, we spend our days helping residents navigate community life. Over time, we get to know people. We notice when someone is thriving, and we notice when something changes.

Perhaps it is the resident who suddenly stops attending activities. Perhaps it is someone who appears anxious during family visits. Perhaps it is a passing comment about money, pressure to sign documents, or concerns about decisions being made on their behalf.

None of these situations automatically indicate elder abuse. But they may be signs that something deserves closer attention.

When many people hear the term “elder abuse”, they think of physical harm. In reality, elder abuse can take many forms. Financial abuse is one of the most commonly reported concerns, often involving pressure around assets, property or banking. Emotional abuse, social isolation, neglect and coercive behaviour can be equally damaging, yet far less visible.

What makes elder abuse particularly challenging is that it often occurs within trusted relationships. The person causing harm may be an adult child, family member, friend or someone the older person relies upon for support.

For retirement living professionals, there is another important consideration.

In 2024, the NSW Retirement Village Residents Association released research into elder abuse within retirement villages. While family-related abuse remained a significant issue, the research found many reported incidents involved interactions between residents themselves, including bullying, intimidation, harassment and social exclusion.

The findings reinforced something many village professionals already understand: vulnerability does not always arise from outside the village gates. Sometimes the challenges affecting residents occur within the community itself.

This research is one reason DCM Institute continues to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day each year. It aligns with broader conversations across the sector about resident wellbeing, respectful communities, psychological safety and the importance of addressing behaviours that can undermine a resident’s quality of life.

This is where village professionals play an important role.

Not because we are expected to investigate concerns or provide legal advice. We are not counsellors, police officers or advocates. But we are often well positioned to notice changes, listen without judgement and connect residents with appropriate support when concerns arise.

In many ways, this reflects the broader purpose of professional village management.

The role extends beyond buildings, budgets and compliance. At its heart, retirement living is about supporting people to live safely, independently and with dignity. Creating environments where residents feel heard, respected and comfortable raising concerns is part of that responsibility.

At DCM Institute, we regularly explore topics such as resident wellbeing, vulnerability, boundaries and psychological safety. While elder abuse is a distinct issue, the same principle applies: awareness matters.

Often, the first step towards helping someone is recognising that they may need help in the first place.