Croydon volunteers needed to protect elderly from abuse
8th April 2009
A Croydon charity dedicated to helping protect the elderly from abuse is seeking more volunteers.
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) are based in Norbury.
Their helpline is dedicated to helping the estimated 342,000 older people who are abused in their own homes every year.
Rosanna Thurlow, from the charity, said the figure does not include those in care homes or hospitals and is probably the tip of the iceberg.
She gives the horrific example of an abused 85-year-old woman.
“Violet had gone into a home as she could no longer look after herself.
"In that home, she was subject to horrific treatment including having four fingernails ripped out by an assistant care worker.
“Violet was found whimpering by another care assistant.
"She died two weeks later from an unrelated cause.
“The pathologist stated that ripping out her finger nails would have required considerable force by an able bodied person and would have required use of instrument inserted under the nail and probably twisted as there was nothing left under the cuticle.”
AEA’s helpline provides support nationally for victims of abuse, concerned friends and family members and practitioners who work with vulnerable older people.
Last year their helpline took in excess of 2,000 abuse calls, covering issues such as financial abuse, neglect, psychological, physical and sexual abuse.
Miss Thurlow said: “We are trying to recruit volunteers to work on our helpline.
“In return, they will have their travel expenses covered, receive comprehensive training and have the opportunity to work in a committed team which has a real impact on people’s lives.”
She said: ““It is a tragedy that so many older people suffer abuse, often at the hands of someone they should be able to trust.
“We live in an ageing population and it is vital that systems like our helpline are available to help protect those people in such great need.”
If you would be interested in hearing more about volunteering on the AEA elder abuse response helpline, please call Tracey Wells on 0208 765 7009 If you are suffering abuse, or you’re concerned about someone who may be, please call the freephone helpline number 080 8808 8141.
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1 comment:
I commend AEA's commitment and effort to protect the rights of older persons. Hotlines like these need to become more readily available, and more importantly, more accessible to seniors. They key to preventing such abuse is to ensure that older persons are aware that such options are available to them and that there are many people who are willing to fight for their cause!
-Global Action on Aging
http://globalaging.blogspot.com/2009/02/aukje-de-vries-diary-day-28.html
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