Aged Rights Advocacy Service

16/06/2026

📣 Spread the word!

From July 2026, Seniors Card eligibility is expanding in South Australia.

Eligibility will include:

* South Australians aged 60 and over
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over

The work hours requirement will no longer apply. You only need to be a citizen or permanent resident living in South Australia.

This change will help more older South Australians stay connected, active and engaged, while easing cost of living pressures.

Please share with your family, friends and community.

More information will be available from 1 July 2026 at [www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au](http://www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au)

Seniors Card acknowledges and respects Aboriginal peoples as the State’s first peoples and nations and recognises Aboriginal peoples as traditional owners and occupants of the lands and waters in South Australia.

15/06/2026

💜 Elder abuse can happen in different ways — and it is not always easy to recognise.

It may be:

- Financial abuse — misusing an older person’s money, property or assets.
- Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, intimidation, humiliation or controlling behaviour.
- Physical abuse — causing pain, injury or fear through force or rough treatment.
- Social abuse — isolating someone from family, friends, community or support networks.
- Sexual abuse — any unwanted sexual contact or behaviour.
- Neglect — failing to provide care, support, medication, food, safety or basic needs.

Elder abuse can be subtle, hidden, or dismissed as “family matters” — but it is never acceptable.

Every older person deserves dignity, respect, safety and choice.

See it. Stop it. Prevent it.

15/06/2026

💜 Join ARAS for our 19th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Online Forum.
Empower, Prevent, Protect: A Rights-Based Approach to Elder Abuse

📅 Date: Tuesday 23 June
⏰ Time: 10:00am – 11:30am ACST
📍 Location: Online
🎟️ Cost: Free

This nationally recognised forum brings together public officials and leaders, advocates, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to share insights, evidence and innovative approaches to addressing elder abuse.

The forum will include an introduction to ARAS by Anne Burgess AM, Chairperson of ARAS, followed by presentations from respected leaders including:
• Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner
• Natalie Siegel-Brown, Inspector-General of Aged Care

Together, we’ll explore how a rights-based approach can uphold the dignity, autonomy and wellbeing of older people, while strengthening prevention and response efforts across our communities.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-online-forum-tickets-1988538674706?aff=oddtdtcreator

See it. Stop it. Prevent it. There’s no excuse for abuse.

Join us for ARAS’ 19th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Forum, “Empower, Prevent, Protect: A Rights-Based Approach to Elder Abuse."

15/06/2026

💜 Wearing purple for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 💜

Today, our team came together wearing purple to show our support for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and to stand with older people in our community.

WEAAD is an important reminder that every older person has the right to live safely, with dignity, respect, choice and control.

Elder abuse is often hidden, but together we can raise awareness, recognise the signs, and take action to prevent harm.

See it. Stop it. Prevent it.

15/06/2026

💜 What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is any action, inaction or behaviour that causes harm, distress or fear to an older person, particularly within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust.

It can happen in many forms — financial, emotional, psychological, physical, social, sexual abuse or neglect.

It may look like controlling someone’s money, pressuring them into decisions, isolating them from family and friends, speaking on their behalf without consent, threatening them, or not providing the care and support they need.

Elder abuse is not always easy to see, but it is never acceptable.

Every older person has the right to feel safe, respected, heard and in control of their own life.

See it. Stop it. Prevent it.

14/06/2026

💜 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a reminder that elder abuse is real, often hidden, and can happen in many forms — financial, emotional, psychological, physical, social or neglect.

Every older person deserves to live with dignity, respect, safety and choice.

Elder abuse is not always obvious. It can look like control, pressure, isolation, threats, misuse of money, or decisions being made without the older person’s voice being heard.

This WEAAD, we encourage everyone to listen, notice the signs, speak up, and support older people to know their rights.

Together, we can help build a community where older people are respected, protected and empowered.

See it. Stop it. Prevent it.

10/06/2026

Travelling Yarns: Knitting on Public Transport

Celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day on Saturday 13 June 2026 with two free community events on Adelaide Metro services!

Wear your favourite handmade knits, bring a project to work on, and enjoy knitting with others while travelling.

🚋 Tram in the City
Entertainment Centre to Botanic Gardens route between 10:00am and 1:00pm. Join anytime at any stop along the route.

🚌 Double decker bus in the Hills
Ride to the Stirling Library event on a special double decker bus service.

Departs Dutton Road Park ‘n’ Ride at 12:30pm, arriving at Stop 36, Mt Barker Road, Stirling at 12:49pm.

Return service departs Stop 36, Mt Barker Road, Stirling at 3:15pm.

Free event — register your interest and find out more at adelaidemetro.com.au

10/06/2026

Every older person has the right to quality aged care — and the right to speak up when something isn’t right.

ARAS was proud to be represented by Joanne Watts, Advocate and Team Leader, as a panellist in OPAN’s webinar, Aged Care Act Spotlight: Navigating aged care complaints.

The webinar explored the aged care complaints process, including what has changed under the new Act, what to do if rights have been breached, the role of mediation, and how older people can seek support when raising concerns.

A valuable discussion on ensuring older people feel informed, supported and empowered to speak up.

Watch the webinar here:

Aged care act spotlight: Navigating aged care complaints Download Transcript Every older person has the right to quality aged care – and the right to speak up when they’re not getting it. In this OPAN webinar, our panel of experts will discuss the aged care complaints process. Including what’s...

02/06/2026

This is Mabo Day — a day to honour Eddie Koiki Mabo and the many people who fought for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection to Country.

Mabo Day is marked each year on 3 June. It commemorates the historic 1992 High Court decision that overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius and recognised native title in Australia.

It is a time to reflect on truth, justice, land rights, and the ongoing importance of reconciliation.

Learn more:
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/commemorating-mabo-day/

Mabo Day commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius.

01/06/2026

This is Pride Month — a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities and reflect on the importance of inclusion, respect, safety, and equality.

Pride Month is also an opportunity to recognise the experiences of LGBTQIA+ older people, including those who may have faced discrimination, exclusion, or barriers to being themselves throughout their lives.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported to live with dignity and choice.