70% of elderly abuse cases involve close family
By Juno McEnroe
November 11, 2008
NEARLY 70% of the alleged elderly abuse cases reported so far this year have been carried out by the sons, daughters or spouses of the elderly person concerned, figures have revealed. They show that so far this year, 1,243 reports of elderly people being neglected, psychologically traumatised, beaten and sexually abused are being investigated by the Health Service Executive (HSE), an increase on last year’s 927 cases. The claims of abuse to the HSE were mainly made by public health staff and nurses, and through a HSE helpline.
The alleged abusers in 51% of cases were sons and daughters, husbands and wives in 17.5% of cases, nieces and nephews in 6.3% of cases, and other relatives in 12.6% of cases. Claims against nursing home staff, health workers and other staff were made in 2.6% of cases. “Most [acts] were perpetrated by family.
The vast majority of elderly people don’t suffer abuse but obviously there are still far too many being abused,” said HSE specialist for older person’s services, Paschal Moynihan.
* While there were 1,243 cases of elderly people being mistreated up until October, 1,682 alleged acts of abuse were recorded.
* Some 428 cases involved psychological abuse while 333 involved neglect.
* There were 251 allegations of financial abuse, including the misuse of pensions.
* There were 207 cases of physical abuse, including pushing, slapping, threatening behaviour and hitting. * Investigations have also begun into 26 cases of sexual abuse.
* The HSE also received 26 abuse reports involving discrimination. The figures coincide with the launch of a HSE campaign highlighting the types of abuse being endured by elderly people, with a particular emphasis on financial abuse. Age Action welcomed the HSE campaign but warned the abuse figures were the “tip of the iceberg”.
SOURCE: IrishExaminer.com - Ireland
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