Every older person has rights.
You can:
- Control and access your own money and property.
- Attend appointments without another person.
- Choose to see family and friends when you want.
- Have easy access to clean clothes, food and your own medication.
Are you ok?
Take our Wellbeing check-up to find out:
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I know how much money I have in my bank account.
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I have the freedom to spend my money.
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I have the freedom to see family and friends when I want.
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I attend social activities.
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I receive medical attention when I need it, and have a say about my healthcare plan and treatment.
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My personal care needs (showering, personal hygiene etc.) are taken care of.
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I am treated respectfully by my family and friends.
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I feel safe at home and my right to live in my home is secure.
Think about your responses
If you have any concerns about your situation, you may wish to talk to someone you trust. Legal Aid NSW can help you. We have a team of lawyers and a social worker to help work through your concerns.
Our lawyers can help you with things like:
- Your rights to control your money and recover unpaid loans
- Powers of Attorney and Guardianship
- Housing problems including ‘granny flat’ arrangements
- Problems with Centrelink
- Reporting physical and sexual abuse
- Apprehended Violence Orders
- Providing help and advice to people experiencing neglect, harassment, verbal abuse, threats and threatening behaviour
Our social worker can support you with things like:
- Counselling
- Facilitated family meetings
- Helping you reconnect to social groups and community support
- Connecting you to services to support you
- Helping you stay safe
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Case Study: Maria's Story
Maria’s adult son moved in with her when he separated from his partner. Maria wanted to help him and needed help herself after a recent fall. Maria’s son had access to Maria’s money through a Power of Attorney. Maria noticed amounts of money missing from her account. Her son told her he would pay the money back, but never did. Her son got angry when Maria asked about the money so she avoided bringing it up. After the fall, Maria was dependant on her son to drive her around, but he never took her anywhere. Her son stopped her daughter from visiting. Maria was feeling isolated and depressed. She stopped eating. Maria asked her son to leave a few times but he didn’t take her seriously.
We helped Maria by:
- Helping her to feel safe and empowered her to do something about her situation.
- Revoking her son’s power of attorney.
- Reconnecting Maria with her daughter.
- Giving notice to her son to leave the property.
- Drafting a written agreement for the repayment of the money her son used.
Where can I get more help?
| Organisation | Information | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| SV Partners (Liquidators) | You should register your contact details with the liquidators, SV Partners, for updates.The liquidators can also tell you which fund you were paying into. | Website: www.svpartners.com.au/youpla-group-acbf-group |
| LawAccess NSW | Provides free telephone legal information and referrals to other services, including to your nearest Legal Aid NSW office, Community Legal Centres, private lawyers and other organisations that can help. | Chat to our team by clicking on 'Chat with us' on the right or by calling 1300 888 529 Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm. |
| Elder Abuse Service | A Legal Aid NSW service located at Gosford Legal Aid office, 92 – 100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250. | Phone: (02) 4324 5611 |