Keeping safe and secure in your home and community is important for everyone, but particularly for those groups who are more vulnerable to crime or being taken advantage of.
Here are links to helpful tips on a range of elder safety topics:
Victim Support NZ Personal Safety and Security Tips.
If you become a victim of family harm or violence see our section on family violence and harm, for steps you can take and support available, here.
Avoiding Elder Abuse and Neglect
- Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention – Age Concern
- Elder Abuse - Health Navigator
- If you have concerns about how you are being treated by others, contact the Elder Abuse Response Service. It's a free, 24 hour service. Freephone: 0800 32 668 65, text: 5032, email: support@elderabuse.nz
- If you think you (or an older person you know) are in immediate danger from harmful neglect or abuse, call 111 and ask for the Police.
Home Safety Checklist - NZ Police
Equipment and Safety - Senior line
Information about improving safety in your home by doing home modifications - NZ Government
Protecting yourself from fraud - Victim Support
Scams - Age Concern
Online Safety Tips - Victim Support NZ
Online Security – Age Concern
General information on staying safe online for older people - Netsafe
Visually friendly and simply communicated guidelines – Netsafe
Useful websites - services for older people and their contacts
These organisations provide information, services, support and advocacy for older people and support their safety and security in a range of ways (Ministry of Health).