31.03.2009
Many have raised families here, been employed, owned businesses or played a major part in leading the city towards the 21st century.
Others fought in wars, putting their lives on the line all in the name of democracy - and so future generations would have better lives.
Today, many of these people are vulnerable, frail, and not only need looking after, but deserve our full respect and compassion.
So, having said that, it is difficult to comprehend why anyone would want to abuse an elderly person.
Our page one lead today unveils some terrible examples of elder abuse in Rotorua - so much so it has prompted Age Concern to shift its focus towards tackling the problem.
The organisation plans to bid for a Ministry of Social Development contract to enable it to administer programmes on elder abuse and neglect prevention in Rotorua.
Government research has indicated 3 to 10 per cent of older New Zealanders - between 15,000 and 50,000 people - are likely to experience some kind of abuse.
These numbers are staggering.
The issue has not had a great deal of exposure in Rotorua. Unlike instances of child abuse, there is no mandatory reporting of elderly abuse, making it difficult to make an accurate assessment of how widespread the problem is.
The examples given are, however, dreadful: A man unable to speak is ripped off by his own family; an elderly woman reliant on her carer to toilet and clean her was often left on the toilet unable to move.
Age Concern is right to start concentrating on these issues - and deserves full support from the people of Rotorua to bring examples like these to its attention.
Rotorua Age Concern vice president Janine Glyde says in her experience elderly people are not the type to speak out.
One of the stronger comments comes from clinical leader of elderly care at the Rotorua General Practitioners' Group, Dr Simon Firth, when he says "the idea that it's not a problem in Rotorua is just a joke".
Clearly it is a problem. Clearly it is time something is done about it.
SOURCE: Daily Post, New Zealand
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