BY KATARINA FILIPE
South Canterbury
06 February 2009
SUSPECTED abuse and neglect of the elderly in South Canterbury has risen a trend that has been reported around the rest of New Zealand.Not all inquiries resulted in registered cases if the inquirer wanted to remain anonymous or felt that information given to them was sufficient for them to follow up themselves, elder protection co-ordinator Geeta Muralidharan said.
"Now, people know there is a service in the community to help them. Awareness is building that there is a free, confidential and professional service available."
The service said 75 per cent of elderly abuse came from family members.
Mrs Muralidharan said financial abuse occurred more often, but cases were now more complex because of a mixture of financial, verbal and emotional abuse and ageist attitudes and disrespect to the elderly.
Social agency Age Concern has also received a jump in notifications nationwide. It has prompted calls for tougher sanctions against family members and caregivers who physically, financially or emotionally abuse the elderly.
Abridged
SOURCE: Stuff.co NZ
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