Reported cases of elderly abuse on the rise

The jump in notifications of abuse to social agency Age Concern has prompted calls for tougher sanctions against family members and caregivers who physically, financially or emotionally abuse the elderly.

During the 2007-08 financial year, Age Concern received almost 1500 notifications of suspected abuse or neglect nationwide. Of these, more than 700 were substantiated. The number of abuse and neglect notifications in 2005/06 was 1100. Six hundred of these cases were substantiated.

In the Canterbury region there has been a 40 per cent increase in the past year of concerned family members, friends and neighbours calling Age Concern about suspected abuse.

Age Concern elder abuse professional adviser Jayne McKendry said real levels of abuse and neglect were unknown. The elderly were often reluctant to report abusers, who in 80 per cent of cases were family members. Age Concern was working with the Families Commission and the Ministry of Social Development to raise awareness of issue.

Elder abuse, like violence against partners, came under the Domestic Violence Act, she said.

Politicians were reviewing the act and considering whether to give police powers to issue protection orders against those alleged to have abused elderly people, McKendry said.

The elderly often did not want to go to court to get a protection order, or in many cases, even complain about their abuser for fear of the repercussions, she said.

Such a law change was supported by Age Concern and others in the sector as it might provide more protection for the vulnerable elderly, McKendry said.

About 20 per cent of all cases reported to Age Concern involved physical violence. Financial and emotional abuse were most common. About six cases of sexual abuse of the elderly were reported every year, McKendry said.

Canterbury police family violence expert Sergeant Jim Sole said New Zealand was lagging behind the United States and Canada in its understanding and approach to abuse of the elderly. Those countries ran advertisements promoting awareness of elder abuse and encouraging people to report it, he said.

Banks were also obliged to monitor aged people's bank accounts to pick up any financial abuse, Sole said.

"In New Zealand we don't seem to acknowledge or identify it for what it is."

Police were sometimes made aware of elderly mothers being abused by their adult sons but it was very difficult to get the women to press charges and to compile evidence.

"When you've got a domestic partner argument and violence you often get neighbours calling the police. When an elderly person is isolated and is being abused by a loved one they are often very ashamed and will not want people to know."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Jay   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Far to often we hear of the aged being abused by those that portray themselves as carers. I am ashamed that in my many years as a senior caregiver I have been witness to abuse dished out by those more senior in rank than myself and have not had the courage to stand against these people and report what I have seen. To care for those that are unable to care for themselves should be a passion not merely a means of filling your purse at the end of the day. I have had to leave this profession due to an injury but would return tomorrow if my health allowed so as to fight for the rights of our aging population who for whatever reason are unable to speak for themselves. Tighten the laws and come down hard on the perpetrators so as to protect the innocent and support those that speak up against this atrocity so that the aged can spend the last years of their lives in dignity and with the respect they deserve.

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