Introduction

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms ‘older people’ and ‘seniors’ refer to people over the age of 60 years old. 

This chapter covers the following topics:

• elder abuse including situations with the potential for financial abuse: transferring property or assets in exchange for care; 

  • loans and gifts; 

  • the use of funds without authority or in excess of authority; 

  • the misuse of powers of attorney; 

  • fraud or pressure to sign documents; and 

  • sharing a home with an adult child;

• age discrimination; and

• grandparents’ access to grandchildren.

Currently in Victoria, 1.45 million people are aged over 60, which is more than 22 per cent of the population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census, 2021). By 2031, our older population is due to comprise 22 per cent of the population in Melbourne and 31 per cent in regional and rural Victoria. 

While the following topics are common among older people, they are not covered in this chapter:

• residential aged care;

• home care packages and support; and

• retirement villages.

Introduction

Chapter: 9.2: Legal issues affecting older people

Contributor: Avital Kamil, Principal Lawyer; Julia Jeffries, Managing Lawyer; Andelka Obradovic, Senior Lawyer; Luke Shein, Lawyer; Seniors Rights Victoria; Leonie Dubbelman, Lawyer, Seniors Rights Victoria

Current as of: 1 September 2024

Law Handbook Page: 790

Next Section: Elder abuse