Fighting to keep the elderly safe
By HANNAH NORTON - Manukau Courier
22 January 2009
Despite years of social work Jackie Tidbury was in shock for her first two weeks of dealing with elder abuse and neglect.
The Weymouth woman started work for Age Concern Counties Manukau last September.
She’s appalled elder abuse isn’t specifically recognised by the law despite its prevalence.
"There is no legislation which specifically supports the vulnerable elderly or the social work involvement and obligations.
"We do not have a legal act to stand on."
Elder abuse workers have no equivalent to the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act which sets out what’s required for child safety and protection, she says.
And there’s also no legal definition for elder abuse.
"The term elder abuse and neglect is so stark it’s a shock," says Mrs Tidbury.
"Families don’t even realise what they’re doing is abuse."
Summer is the season of increased abuse with significantly more referrals expected in January, says Age Concern Counties Manukau executive officer Wendy Bremner.
That’s because financial and psychological abuse can rise when carers become more stressed in the lead-up to Christmas.
Mrs Tidbury began working alongside elder abuse and neglect field worker Dianne Leach in September and the pair are committed to raising
awareness.
There’s still no legal framework for combating elder abuse despite Health Ministry guidelines released in 2007 and a Families Commission research report in January last year.
"Where there are situations in which children are abused the perpetrators often face charges in the court system," Mrs Tidbury says.
"To my knowledge there have not been charges against the perpetrators of elder abuse."
To contact Age Concern phone 279-4331.
Abridged
SOURCE: Stuff Co. NZ
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