How the Seniors Legal and Support Service can help me or an older person I am supporting?  

Anyone can make contact with the Seniors Legal and Support Service.  Call 1800 954 494 or (07) 3187 7187 or speak to a health professional if currently in hospital.  Assistance can be provided by phone or via visits to hospitals, aged care facilities and to a person’s home.   

The Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) provides free social support, practical assistance and legal services for older persons at risk of or experiencing elder abuse, mistreatment, neglect or financial exploitation.   

First Nations workers are available to speak with. 

Secondary consultations can be provided to health workers, aged care providers, police and other professionals who are concerned about an older person. 

SLASS and Caxton Legal Centre cannot provide assistance with estate planning or estate disputes.   

What is elder abuse?  

The abuse of older persons usually occurs within the family, but older persons may also experience abuse from carers, neighbours, or friends. 

Common situations where elder abuse occurs include:  

    • a family member (usually son, daughter or grandchild) living in the home and being verbally abusive, not contributing financially or not agreeing to move out when requested;  
    • a breakdown in family agreements to loan money, build a granny flat, provide money/assets in exchange for care;
    • long-term abuse or violence from a partner; 
    • denial of opportunity to spend time with grandchildren;  
    • misuse of a power of attorney or denial of an older person’s right to make their own decisions and control their finances;  
    • receipt of a carer’s pension without providing the care;  
    • older people being forced to sign legal documents.  

Read the discussion papers from the National Elder Abuse Conference 2019 here.

Multidisciplinary model

SLASS services are multidisciplinary.   Read about the SLASS multidisciplinary model here.

Health justice partnership   

To increase early identification of elder abuse, SLASS is also delivered via three health and justice partnerships between Caxton Legal Centre Inc and 

Older persons can be assisted in all of these locations. 

Enhanced Hospital Referral Pathway for Metro South Health and Metro North Health 

    • Any hospital and community health staff will be able to refer you to SLASS regardless if you are an inpatient or outpatient. 
    • Service providers can use this form to refer their patients or to see contact details for accessing the SLASS team. 
    • You can also email them at slass@caxton.org.au 

Decision-Making Capacity 

SLASS provides supports to older persons who need and want that for decision-making related to preventing or addressing elder abuse. 

Education and Training 

 SLASS can provide free community education and professional training about elder abuse and related topics. 

Seniors Financial Protections Worker

Persons who are nearing retirement or older persons who want assistance with managing finances (including prevention of financial elder abuse) can contact our Seniors Financial Protections Service. 

Social Connections Worker

The “Stay Connected” Social Worker can provide supports and practical assistance to women who feel socially isolated.  Please use this form to make a referral or to contact our Stay Connected Social Worker.

Useful information 

SLASS publishes valuable factsheets to provide easy access to information on common legal matters for seniors.  

A number of factsheets have been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Serbian and Tagalog.

SLASS also publishes helpful factsheets for professionals, including:

Acknowledgement of funders   

The Seniors Legal and Support Service is funded by the Queensland Government and the Metro South HHS arm of SLASS is funded by the Commonwealth Government.