Elder abuse is often hidden from view but all South Australians should know how to bring it to light, a legal authority promoting a new awareness video says.
The Legal Services Commission and SA Police are among five agencies in the Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, which has released a video highlighting key support services available to sufferers of elder abuse.
Legal Services Commission director Gabrielle Canny says the awareness push is aimed at preventing victims from missing out on support they need.
"Elder abuse is often hidden from view, so it's important to name it and talk about it," she said in a statement on Friday.
"Information is power - and information about elder abuse services can be especially powerful."
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The comment comes a day after the Australian Law Reform Commission called for new laws requiring aged care providers to report any allegations of suspicion of abuse or neglect to an independent body.
In a landmark review released on Wednesday, the commission said it also wants improved screening of aged care workers and the regulated use of restrictive practices.
The South Australian opposition said Adelaide's scandal-plagued Oakden nursing home, which closed this week, is a "case study" of the commission's concerns about how abuse complaints are handled.
A scathing review by SA's chief psychiatrist uncovered the rough handling of patients, an excessive use of restraints and a concerning level of injuries at the facility.
It prompted the government to pledge to close the facility while the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption has launched an inquiry to see if maladministration was involved over the past decade.
"Time and again concerned families of Oakden patients went to administrators and politicians who failed to act on well-founded concerns," opposition spokesman Vickie Chapman said in a statement on Friday.
