This month we say a heartfelt farewell to Kate Miller, our Elder Abuse Response Advisor, as she prepares to retire – and we welcome new team member Cat Baker into our Elder Abuse Response team.

Cat (left) & Kate (right) have been working together to ensure a smooth, well-prepared handover before Kate finishes up next week.

Kate Miller has had a long career working within the health sector in mental health, education, primary health, and needs assessment. Over the last three years, Kate has brought exceptional professionalism and steady guidance to one of the most important and sensitive roles within ACNT. Supporting older people experiencing or at risk of abuse requires immense skill, patience, and empathy, and Kate has embodied all of these with her mahi. She has made a significant difference in the lives of many older people across our region, and we are deeply grateful for the care and expertise she has contributed to our organisation. We wish Kate all the very best for her retirement and know she’ll enjoy having more time with her family, especially her new granddaughter.

At the same time, we’re delighted to welcome Cat Baker to the team. With the position evolving slightly, Cat steps into the refreshed role of Senior Elder Abuse Response Advisor, working alongside Jamie and Tanya this strong team will continue to deliver our crucial Elder Abuse Response Service in the Nelson Tasman region.

Cat has diverse experience in the health sector and brings all the necessary skills and resilience for this crucial role. She has a background as a nurse, manager, and auditor in the health sector and most recently she’s been working in adult education, supporting adult learners undertaking apprenticeships in healthcare.

Please join us in making her feel warmly welcomed, we’re thrilled to have her as part of the ACNT whānau.

About Our Elder Abuse Response Service

Our service provides information, support, and guidance to older people and their families/whānau to help prevent elder abuse and neglect, and we coordinate intervention services when abuse is identified. We work collaboratively with a wide range of support agencies throughout the region, including the police, social workers, home-based support services, lawyers, and government agencies.

In the last year alone, Age Concern Nelson Tasman has supported more than 250 older people affected by elder abuse – most often financial abuse, and sadly, often by family members. Abuse can also be emotional, physical, sexual, institutional, or take the form of neglect.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you know, please fill in the referral form below and our team will be in touch to assist.

More info is available here on our website: Elder Abuse Response Service

ELDER ABUSE REFERRAL FORM