Waikato Business News May/June 2023

20 RETIREMENT
Government
tackles elder abuse
Eleven projects are being funded as part
of the Government’s efforts to prevent
elder abuse, Minister for Seniors Dr
Ayesha Verrall announced as part of
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
“Sadly one in 10 older
people experience elder
abuse in New Zealand,
that is simply unacceptable,”
Ayesha Verrall said.
“Our Elder Abuse Prevention
Fund supports programmes
to tackle and prevent
elder abuse across
diverse groups in the older
population.
“Successful projects
include a University of Otago
study that aims to improve
detection of abuse in older
people and a national survey
by Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura
Outing Violence which will
aim to find out more about
the elder abuse experienced
by Takatāpui and Rainbow
Elders.
It is in addition to the $6.3
million for new prevention
initiatives for older people
announced in Budget 2022.”
“We need to find different
ways to prevent abuse, this
extra funding allows us to trial
innovative approaches to prevent
elder abuse. These initiatives
will contribute to delivering
Te Aorerekura – the
National Strategy to Eliminate
Elder abuse is often hidden. Abusers
are often someone the older person
depends on for support or care.
They often live with the person or are
someone close to them, whānau, a
friend, or neighbour.
Family Violence and Sexual
Violence, which acknowledges
the higher rates of violence
experienced by older people.
“The Government is firmly
committed to promoting a
society where older people are
highly valued and recognised
as an integral part of families
and communities.
“Elder abuse is often hidden.
Abusers are often someone
the older person depends
on for support or care. They
often live with the person
or are someone close to
them, whānau, a friend, or
neighbour.
$250,000 is being allocated
to eleven projects from
the Elder Abuse Prevention
Fund. It is in addition to the
$6.3 million for new prevention
initiatives for older
people announced in Budget
2022.
If you are concerned about
elder abuse call the free helpline
0800 EA NOT OK (0800
32 668 65), text 5032 or email
support@elderabuse.nz
To find out more about
elder abuse or to see the full
list of successful Elder Abuse
Prevention Fund projects go to
the Office for Seniors website
www.officeforseniors.govt.nz
Caci Clinic
partners with
Skin Cancer
College fight
skin cancer
on front line
• Melanoma is the third
most common cancer
in men and women in
New Zealand
• 6,000 melanomas
are diagnosed in New
Zealand every year
• Over 300 Kiwis die of
melanoma every year
When a member of
Caci Clinic’s own
head office team
had a cancerous melanoma
removed, it prompted the
company to look at its role in
helping the fight against skin
cancer.
This Skin Cancer Awareness
Month, a new partnership
between Caci Clinic
and the Skin Cancer College
of Australasia (SCCA) will
upskill more than 700 therapists
and registered nurses at
its 80 clinics nationwide to
better recognise suspicious
legions and make potentially
lifesaving referrals to recognised
GPs.
The course has been developed
by skin cancer doctors
after realising many patients
are presenting to skin cancer
GPs after an irregular mark
on their skin was noticed by
non-medical professionals.
Skin Cancer College
Australasia CEO Lynette
Hunt says the important role
that professionals that are
regularly in close contact with
skin play is consistent and
significant.
“We often hear stories from
our member doctors of people
turning up to their skin cancer
GP after their beauty therapist,
hairdresser, massage
therapist or physiotherapist
noticed something different
about their skin,’’ Hunt says.
“We developed this course
to encourage people who see a
lot of skin in their daily work
to speak up and start a conversation
with their clients about
their skin health. We are not
trying to teach non-medical
people to diagnose skin cancer
– that is a doctor’s role. Our
aim is to make it OK to speak
up about skin.”
Caci Clinic’s strategy and
customer lead Emily Stevenson
has spearheaded the
partnership.
“My own personal journey
with skin cancer has been a
driver, but we’re also consistently
hearing from our clinics
that they’re already making
referrals when they spot
something that looks a little
‘off’. We’re delighted to partner
with the leading peak
body representing primary
care skin cancer practitioners
to upskill our staff and play
our part on the front line,” she
says.
“The online course via
SCCA takes our team through
five easy modules introducing
what skin cancer is, skin
cancer risks and prevention,
recognising suspicious
lesions, and how they can
help.”
Hamilton Skin Cancer
Centre’s Dr Bert Rauber
whose clinic has three fulltime
ex-GPs and a number
of nurses working full time
on identifying and removing
skin cancers says the initiative
makes absolute sense.
“The Caci team and others
in similar industries with a lot
of skin contact are in a prime
position to identify potential
skin lesions. Just getting people
to take the next step and
visit their skilled medical professional
for a full body skin
check can make a huge difference,’’
Dr Bert says. “Early
detection of skin cancer is so
important, and a skilled doctor
perform a thorough skin
check is quick, painless and
potentially life-saving.”