Elder Abuse: Most Cases Caused Within Family (New Zealand)

18.08.2008
By Jamie Morton

Victims' family members are causing the majority of elder abuse, a new Wairarapa co-ordinator says.

Cheryl Watson, appointed as elder abuse and neglect prevention co-ordinator by the Wairarapa Organisation for Older Persons last month, said nationally relatives caused 79 per cent of elder abuse.

Statistics also showed that even while the victim was in residential care, family members were still responsible 69 per cent of the time.

Mrs Watson's role, which had been out of commission for a year, was to both assess cases of abuse in the region and raise awareness of the issue.

She said many people were unaware what elder abuse was.
It could include neglect and psychological abuse, physical abuse or taking advantage of a victim for financial gain.

Having been in the job just over eight weeks, Mrs Watson already had a case of financial abuse on her books.


"We have one where a family member has borrowed a significant amount of money for their business, which hasn't worked out. No repayment of the loan has taken place.

"Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that a older person's life savings will be used up by a family member. They'll ask: 'Can you help me out?' then when all the money's gone, they'll say 'sorry, I can't do anything about it'."

Another case involved psychological abuse between a husband and wife.

"A lot of cases are also the result of carer stress. This is where someone who might not have the necessary skills goes into caring for an elderly person, and ends up becoming abusive."

She said client referrals came from "all walks of life. Abuse gets reported by family members, police, doctors and sometimes the victim."

The next step is to visit the client, assess if abuse is occurring and if necessary bring in the appropriate services to stop it.
Mrs Watson said it could be an embarrassing ordeal for the victim, which is a main reason why only 16 per cent of elder abuse and neglect is being reported nationwide.

"We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg."

Abridged
SOURCE: Wairarapa Times Age


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