MORE than 50 people from the aged-care industry marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day last Friday by participating in a workshop at the Golden Age Home in Lautoka.
The event was organised by the Australia-Pacific Technical College in partnership with the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
A statement released by APTC said the theme of the workshop was “Let’s Break the Silence” and the event primarily focused on awareness about elder abuse.
APTC said Government was appreciative of the initiatives to provide training towards sensitising staff members in its State administered aged care facilities on the issue of elder abuse.
“Indeed the training is an opportunity to create awareness not only in the institutional settings, but more so in communities around the country to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect,” said APTC in its statement.
Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa said caregiving was the bedrock of health and social systems worldwide.
“Caregivers must be involved in accredited training and professional development so that services delivered are within international best practices,” she said.
Mrs Vuniwaqa said the partnership with APTC would bring to reality the vision to provide better caregiving services to the elderly in homes and communities.
Participants at the workshop included Golden Age Home staff members, trainers from the University of the South Pacific’s Caregiving Fundamentals program and staff members and students of the Caregivers Training Institute in Nadi.
