Age Abuse Funds Fall Short (New Zealand)

Age abuse funds fall short

By HANNAH NORTON - Manukau Courier

Some seniors are continuing to suffer financial, emotional and physical abuse because of a lack of government funding to help prevent it happening, says Age Concern Counties Manukau.

Executive officer Wendy Bremner is backing Age Concern New Zealand's plea to the government for funding to prevent elder abuse in this year’s Budget.

Senior Citizens Minister John Carter announced in December that the government has no money for further elder abuse and neglect prevention services.

Ms Bremner says Age Concern Counties Manukau is grateful for the funding it receives from the Social Development Ministry but it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

"We can only deliver a service that capacity allows," she says.

"And referrals to elder abuse are growing at an alarming rate."

Her staff came back from a brief Christmas break to find 24 referrals already waiting, she says.

And the cases of abuse also tend to be a lot more complex than in previous years.

"They are often a combination of financial and psychological abuse.

"Issues such as sibling rivalry, distribution of inheritance and changes of power dynamics within families are becoming more prolific."

Two qualified social workers paid for 50 hours work a week between them try to cover the area from Kaiaua and Awhitu to parts of Otahuhu.

"It’s just not enough," Ms Bremner says.

"We seem to be constantly struggling for the operational costs of delivering the service, like petrol."

Social workers offer the elderly person information, advice and tools for change but never force people to take action, she says.

"You’re entitled to be in charge of your own life, no matter what age you are."

Age Concern national president Lix Baxendine says it’s appalling that vulnerable older people in areas with significant senior populations like Manukau aren’t getting the support they need from the government.

"Elder abuse and neglect prevention teams get at least two new cases of abuse every day.

"But they could do more if they weren’t handicapped by funding shortfalls."

SOURCE:   Stuff.Co.NZ
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