PRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASE

PRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASEPRESSRELEASE

Elder Abuse Conference

Burlington Hotel

Thursday

25th Nov 2004

In recent years the subject of Elder Abuse has begun to be identified as a major problem,that requires a co-ordinated community ,voluntary and statutory response.

The most important and often the most difficult aspect of elder abuse is to be able

to recognise the problem.

No one

has the right ……. to abuse an older person

The Reach Out be a good neighbour campaign started in 1992, with the aim of highlighting the needs of older people who live alone and who may be at risk. It calls on the support of neighbours and relatives in making their lives richer

and safer.

The campaign which speaks with an independent voice, consists of

representatives from a number of voluntary and statutory bodies`. such

as Security of the Elderly, ALONE, Energy Action, Soc. of St. Vincent

DePaul,Crosscare, a number of Health Boards,Local authorities and the

Garda Siochana

It is very clear that :

  • No one has the right

to abuse an older person

  • No one has the right to

permit the abuse of an older person

  • No one has the right to

conceal the abuse of

an older person

Conference Office : C/o 6 Mary’s Lane Dublin 7

Further Information :

Jack Keaveney– Chair Safety &Security Committee Reachout Campaign

Mobile: 0862 / 502393E Mail :

Elder Abuse : Conference Contributors

Prof. Des O’Neill MA MD FRCPI - AMNCH Tallaght Hospital

Consulting Geriatrician

Chaired Irish working group on Elder Abuse and published 2002 Report -

Austin Warters - Project Manager on Elder Abuse - N.E.Health Board

Qualified in 1983 with a professional background in social work .Over 17 years experience in child protection in U.K.& Scotland.

Working in the Irish health care system for the last 10 years leading a National Health Board Executive project on the implementation of Children First and

National Child Protection guidelines.

Ann O’Loughlain

Principal Social Worker at St. Mary's Hospital Phoenix Park Co author with Dr. Joseph Duggan of the report “Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment of Older People: An Exploratory Study “

Currently researching for a Social Work PhD at UCD on the process of

inspectionin the identification of elder abusein long term care

Pat Lane Chair of Reachout & CEO – ALONE

Dr Sheila McEvilly - L.R.C.P.I.+S.I. D.C.H. D.P.H.

Member of Reachout chairing the sub-committee on Hypothermia

& Social Isolation

Irene O’Connor Matron St Ita’s Hospital Newcastlewest Co Limerick

Amanda Phelan - BNS (Hons) - Joint Co-ordinator H.D.N. (PHN)

School of Nursing & Midwifery U.C.D.

Specialist teaching in family violence and older people - Has worked with older people in both the area of continuing care and community primary health care.

Currently doing research on elder abuse for her PhD.

Gary Fitzgerald C.E.O. -Action on Elder Abuse U.K.

M.A. Social Policy and Administration (Distinction)

He has been with AEA since 2001 and was appointed CEO in April 2002.

AEA is a charity that provides information and guidance on the prevention of elder abuse.

Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Observer)

Supt Michael Feehan - Garda Community Relations Harcourt Sq. H.Q.(DMA)

B.A. (Hons) Public Management - MSc Degree in Criminal Justice Studies -

M.B.A. (1st class Hons)U.C.D. -Advance Mgmnt. Diploma U.C.D.

Bridget Penhale - University of Sheffield

European Regional Representative and Acting Secretary of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and a Senior Lecturer in social work at the University of Hull.

Qualified social worker with some15yrs experience

Made submission to the Health Select Committee Single Evidence Session on Elder Abuse - U.K.

Deirdre Ahern - Legal Researcher at Law Reform Commission

Currently working on a Consultation Paper on Vulnerable Adults and the Law

Conference Programme

9.30am- Registration Tea / Coffee Biscuits

10.00am- Conference Launch

10.30am- Prof.Des O’Neill - MA. MD. FRCPI

Nat. Policy on Elder Abuse and Implementation in Ireland

10.50am-Austin Warters Proj Mgr - Elder Abuse-N.E.H.B.

The Experiential Journey to implementing National Elder Abuse Policy in the NEHB

11.10am- Amanda Phelan - BNS (Hons)

Joint Co-ordinator H.D.N. (PHN)

Contextualising older people in Ireland & Elder Abuse in General

11.30am- Ann O’LoughlainSen. Soc. Worker

Making Decisions about Elder Abuse :

From Policy to Practice

12.00 Mid Day : Question & Answers

Chair - Michael Kelly - (Retd. Chief Welfare Officer Dublin City Council)

Panel : -Presenters +MatronIrene O’Connor St Ita’s Newcastlewest Co Limerick

1.00pm Lunch

2.00pm Action on Elder Abuse U.K.

Gary Fitzgerald 'Stopping Elder Abuse - What more is needed?'

2.30pmBridget Penhale- University of Sheffield

European Perspective on Elder Abuse

3.00pm Questions & Answers - Panel Discussion

Chair :Dr Sheila Mc Evilly - Chair Reachout Sub Cttee. Hypothermia

Panel : Presenters +-Supt. M FeehanGarda Community Relations

Deirdre Ahern(Law Reform Commission)

4.00 pm- Closing Comments

Pat Lane - Chair of Reachout Campaign - & CEO A.L.O.N.E.

M.C.Jack Keaveney

Chair : Reachout Sub – Committee Safety & Security

Conference Fee - €50 Voluntary Bodies - € 30..

Booking Now

“Let’s not leave it to someone else to do something

They may have left it to us”

Conference Booking Form

Name : …………………………………………..

Address : ………………………………………...

Organisation : ……………………………………..

Position : ………………………………………….

Tel No: …………….. Ext. No …... Fax No: …….

E Mail Address : …………………………………….

Conference Fee includes Morning Tea / Coffee

Biscuits - Fork Lunch Tea / Coffee Biscuits

Please indicate any special dietary requirements:

______

Conference Fee €50

Voluntary Organisations €30

Please send cheques or Bank Drafts crossed //

& made payable to Reach Out Campaign before

Mon November 8th 2004

Do not send cash

Conference Office : c/o 6 Mary’s Lane Dublin 7

Further Information :

Jack Keaveney Administrator Security of the Elderly 0862 / 502393

E Mail :