After two days of intensive training, 45 Age Concern staff from across the country are leaving Wellington better equipped to combat elder abuse and neglect.

Age Concern New Zealand spokesperson Jayne McKendry says elder abuse is a relatively specialist service, making this kind of specialist training invaluable.

"People found the legal session particularly helpful, participants asked our visiting lawyer a lot of questions and gave positive feedback about their learning."

The forum included one day focusing on strategies for responding to allegations of elder abuse and neglect and working with older people and their families. The second day focused on education and awareness skills.

Participants in the forum have been in the job from between two weeks and 22 years.

"They will go back invigorated and having learnt new skills to improve their practice. They will also be more familiar with using the resources Age Concern New Zealand provide," Ms McKendry says.

Age Concern staff are at the frontline of dealing with older people in what are often complex and emotional situations. Ms McKendry says this forum helps staff from Kaitaia to Invercargill make connections, put faces to names and know who to call for support and advice.

ENDS

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