Elder Abuse highlighted (Northern Ireland)

26 January 2006 BBC NEWS A campaign has been launched to try to raise awareness of abuse of the elderly in Northern Ireland. Uniting against Elder Abuse, which is funded by a range of charities, has produced a DVD to highlight the issue. They say a reported 10,000 older people have been abused in Northern Ireland, but that the problem could actually be much worse.  The project's Claire Keatinge said some pensioners do not report abuse because they fear they will not be believed. She said other victims may rely on their abuser for care, while those with dementia might be unable to fully understand and communicate what is happening to them.  "Make no mistake about it, elder abuse is happening in Northern Ireland and we all have a responsibility to familiarise ourselves with the facts and to make sure that older people in our society are protected against all forms of abuse and receive appropriate help and advice when it is reported," said Ms Keathinge. "Thirty-five per cent of adults in Northern Ireland have not heard of the term 'elder abuse' and 21% do not know if they would be able to recognise if an older person they knew was being abused. "It is therefore vital that our awareness of elder abuse and its indicators is increased."   SOURCE:  BBC News - UK

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