RVRA Research - Ageing Without Fear

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The RVRA’s Ageing Without Fear research page brings together important information, reports and webinars focused on psychological abuse and respectful living within NSW retirement villages. Developed from independent RVRA research conducted in 2023, the project explores the impact of psychological abuse on residents and promotes greater awareness, understanding and community respect.

The page includes survey findings, educational webinars, practical information leaflets and the joint “Statement of Respect” developed with industry and government organisations.

Contents

The RVRA is not aware of any previous studies of the impact of psychological abuse solely within retirement villages that excluded external triggers such as financial abuse and neglect.

Other studies included psychological abuse with a broader range of elder abuse topics, and cover the broader senior cohort of aged care, community housing and general over 55 living situations.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - 15 June, 2024

Since the RVRA released its report on Psychological Abuse within NSW retirement villages, the NSW Property Council/Retirement Living Council, the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and the RVRA met to look at strategies that could be implemented across all villages.

There was agreement that abuse of any form in retirement villages is not okay, and that a joint approach in sending this message to all residents was important and appropriate.

This one-page “Statement of Respect” has been developed which is distributed to all retirement villages to be posted on community noticeboards and other in-house media formats.

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Together, we will foster a culture of mutual respect and kindness within our retirement
village community. Everyone who lives and works in the village brings a unique background,

perspective, and life experience.

We embrace these skills, experiences, and creative talents to enjoy our retirement years and

enrich our individual and communal life. We are all an important part of this community

deserving of respect and understanding.

By treating one another with dignity, understanding, and compassion, we create an

environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported.

Statement of Respect

The Ageing and Disability Commission (NSW)

promotes the rights of older people and adults

with disability to live free from abuse in their

family, home and community. We believe it is a

collective responsibility to stand up for the rights

of older people and remain committed to working

with organisations, including the Retirement

Village Residents Association and the NSW

Property Council/ Retirement Living Council, to

take action against abuse.

The Property Council/ Retirement Living Council

(NSW) is fully supportive of any initiative that

mitigates any form of abuse to any resident.

We are fully committed to working with

the Ageing and Disability Commission and

Retirement Village Residents Association to

develop materials that can be used throughout

retirement villages in NSW.

The Retirement Village Residents Association

(NSW), noted that their Ageing Without Fear

report highlighted that some residents are

being subject to abuse with serious physical

and mental health consequences. Respect

and mutual understanding are essential in any

community and collaborating on this message

with the Ageing and Disability Commission and

the Property Council adds weight that this topic is

one in which we all have a common interest.

The Ageing and Disability Commission (NSW)

promotes the rights of older people and adults

with disability to live free from abuse in their

family, home and community. We believe it is

a collective responsibility to stand up for the

rights of older people and remain committed

to working with organisations, including the

Retirement Village Residents Association, the

Property Council and the Retirement Living

Council, to take action against abuse.

The Property Council (NSW) and the Retirement

Living Council are peak bodies representing the

interests of our members who are leaders in

the property and retirement living sector. We

support initiatives that mitigate abuse against

any resident and are committed to working with

the Ageing and Disability Commission and the

Retirement Village Residents Association to

develop relevant advocacy materials that can

be used throughout retirement villages in NSW.

The Retirement Village Residents Association

(NSW), noted that their Ageing Without Fear

report highlighted that some residents are

being subject to abuse with serious physical

and mental health consequences. Respect

and mutual understanding are essential in any

community and collaborating on this message

with the Ageing and Disability Commission and

the Property Council adds weight that this topic

is one in which we all have a common interest.

https://www.rvra.org.au

https://ageingdisabilitycommission.nsw.gov.au
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Recorded on Tuesday 27, June 2023

This important webinar unveils the eye-opening findings of our survey on psychological abuse in NSW retirement villages. This webinar was specifically designed for retirement village residents and their families.

Running time: 1 hour, 8 minutes

Please share with your family, friends, and neighbours.

We delve into the survey results, discussing the prevalence of psychological abuse, the types of abuse reported, and the significant impact it has on residents. Gain valuable insights into this pressing issue and discover coping strategies and avenues for seeking help.

Speakers:

Moderator: James Wiltshire, Executive Director DCM Institute
Key Speaker: Craig Bennett, RVRA President
Panel:

  • Roger Pallant - RVRA Secretary
  • Dr Diane Hart - RVRA Vice President
  • Julie Pallant - Associate Professor
  • Tamara Rasmussen - Head of Resident Operations, Keyton

Recorded on Thursday 29, June 2023

This important webinar for Retirement Village Managers and Operators unveils the eye-opening findings of our recent survey on psychological abuse of residents in NSW retirement villages.

Running time: 58 minutes

Please share with your teams.

We delve into the survey results, discussing the prevalence of psychological abuse, the types of abuse reported, and the significant impact it has on residents. Gain valuable insights into this pressing issue and discover coping strategies and avenues for seeking help.

Speakers:

Moderator: James Wiltshire, Executive Director DCM Institute

Key Speaker: Craig Bennett, RVRA President

Panel:

  • Roger Pallant - RVRA Secretary
  • Julie Pallant - Associate Professor
  • Elizabeth Johns - Regional Manager, ACT and NSW, Keyton

This report is presented in a flipbook format for easy access and reading.

  • To view the report: Click on the button below and the book will open in a new tab.
  • Navigation: Use the toolbar, keyboard arrows, or mouse clicks to flip pages.

The Retirement Village Residents Association has developed this informative leaflet in conjunction with our Survey Report about psychological elder abuse in NSW retirement communities.

The RVRA leaflet has been developed for Retirement Village residents to understand this prevalent type of abuse and assist with coping strategies and avenues for seeking help.

Please see below to read the leaflet, or to download in colour or black and white for printing, and sharing.

Ageing Without Fear Info Leaflet 2023-Colour
Ageing Without Fear Info Leaflet 2023-Mono

© Retirement Village Residents Association Inc. 2026 - ABN: 16 674 035 894