The Health Service Executive is to appoint 30 new Elder Abuse Officers to support vulnerable older people in the community.
The officers will work with other healthcare professionals, agencies and gardai to help older people suffering harm or abuse.
The recruitment of the officers was recommended in a new report on protecting older people from a HSE working group.
HSE CEO Professor Brendan Drumm told the Annual General Meeting of Age Action Ireland that his organisation was committed to implementing all the recommendations in the 'Protecting Our Future' report.
"The filling of these posts is part of an ongoing programme within the HSE aimed at ensuring that systems and processes are in place to respond to concerns expressed both by older people and their relatives and friends," he added.
Prof Desmond O'Neill, who chaired the working group, said the move represents one of the most important means of assessing and managing cases of suspected elder abuse.
"Many other elements of the report - such as awareness campaigns - require the presence of such personnel to be effective," he added.
Prof Drumm stressed that the HSE was determined to develop services that would allow older people to live in their own communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible.
"We recognise that independence and the ability to remain in their home setting is crucial for older people and restoring them to that setting after illness is an extremely important aim for those of us who are designing services," he said.
"Where such independence is no longer achievable, we are working hard to ensure that high quality residential care is available. This option however, must be available on a standardised and quality assured basis."
Acknowledging the first Annual World Elder Abuse Day, Prof Drumm said the HSE was committed to meeting the needs and wishes of older people. The HSE also confirmed over 7,800 staff members are now formally trained in elder abuse awareness in residential facilities, private nursing homes, hospitals and community services across the country.