Yarning circle “a call to action” in regional and urban Australia

"It's a big problem, just like all family violence," said community advocate Uncle Charlie King.

The topic will be a central focus at an upcoming yarning circle, where strategies for identifying and addressing elder abuse within families will be discussed.

At the heart of this discussion is the cultural distinction between the terms "senior" and "elder." In many cultures, a senior is defined by age, while in First Nations communities, an elder is someone recognised for their wisdom.

"We've been talking to Elders about how we can make more of the seniors become Elders to have that wisdom and knowledge," shared Uncle Charlie.

This wisdom is crucial in identifying signs of abuse, such as malnutrition, poor hygiene, untreated medical issues, and unexplained injuries.

The yarning circle aims to equip families with the tools to recognise these signs and develop strategies to prevent and address elder abuse.