Police Asked to Watch for Elder Abuse (New Zealand)

Police asked to watch for elder abuse

By RUTH HILL

The Dominion Post

Fears that vulnerable elderly people are being abused in their own homes have prompted social workers to "flag" some households with police.

Age Concern spokeswoman Sue Harrod, who co-ordinates the elder abuse and neglect prevention service in the Wellington region, said there was an increasing trend for children and grandchildren to move in with grandparents to "save money".

"Older people are reluctant to complain, but this can be very stressful for them, dealing with loud noise late at night, and drinking ... At the extreme end, we're seeing emotional and physical abuse."

Neighbours of one elderly woman, whose grown-up grandchildren had recently taken up residence with her, were disturbed to hear loud arguments.

The older woman always had some explanation for the bruises that began appearing on her face and arms.

Because the woman refused to lay a complaint, Mrs Harrod said her only option was to ask police to keep an eye on the place. "We've asked police to flag certain properties so if there is a call about noise, they know to check on the older person, whom we believe could be at risk."

Age Concern is pushing for the Domestic Violence Act to be amended to include specific protections for elderly people.

CHEATING  CARERS: 

OCTOBER 6: A 29-year-old man appears in Christchurch District Court charged with ripping off elderly clients on his former "meals on wheels" delivery route. The man, who also impersonated a police officer, conned his elderly victims out of their eftpos cards and pin numbers, netting about $20,000.

SEPTEMBER: Porirua caregiver Alofa Leota gets six months' home detention for stealing more than $33,000 from an elderly cancer patient by using his eftpos card.

JUNE: Auckland caregiver Bronwyn Smith, 43, is charged with fleecing an 89-year-old client of $5000 cash using an eftpos card.

JULY 2008: Manukau caregiver Laurel Edmonds, 38, is sentenced to six months' home detention after stealing $7000 from an intellectually-disabled client.

JANUARY 2008: Christchurch caregiver Philip Newsome, 58, is convicted of taking $36,000 from a severely disabled client over eight years. Jailed for 22 months.

JUNE 2006: Wellington caregiver Kathleen Brooking, 70, is jailed for two years for defrauding an elderly and disabled employer of $45,000.

AUGUST 2006: Wellington caregiver Karen Lisa Pedersen, 35, admits taking more than $40,000 from an elderly car crash victim.

Abridged

SOURCE:    The Dominion Post

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