Freedom from elder abuse
15/06/20
Communities, governments, and providers across the globe will unite to stand up for the rights of older people on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) today.
This year’s WEADD, initiated the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, aims to raise the awareness of the problem and initiate positive change.
Throughout Australia, the most common form of abuse against an older person is estimated to be financial, outranking the prevalence of emotional, physical or psychological abuse.
Coordinator of the Queensland-based Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, Les Jackson, confirmed that financial abuse is the form most experienced by his unit’s users.
Figures from the unit’s helpline indicate that more than $18 million was exploited from older people involved in the 98 telephone reports that stated a dollar figure, this financial year.
Mr Jackson estimates that this amount, although massive, does not represent the true extent of the problem as most cases of financial abuse go unreported.
“Older people’s houses are a prime target,” Mr Jackson said.
“It doesn’t take much to get that average [financial abuse figure] up if there is a farm or property or shares that are being targeted.”
He said that the culprits are most often those who the older person trusts most, like a member of their family or a close friend.
“Everyone tends to trust family and that is why it is fairly common.
“This problem costs taxpayers a whole amount of money. Older people who are being abused are usually unhealthy and their conditions are a lot worse [than others]. Police resources are involved and other service workers pick up the pieces."
As a result, elder abuse “is not an older person’s issue but it is the whole community’s issue”.
Elder abuse has been recognised by the United Nations International Plan of Action as a public health and human rights issue.
Chief Executive Officer of Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA), Sue Hendy, stressed the need for people to be able to recognise what actually constitutes elder abuse and to understand that there is help available.
“When people are vulnerable, they can’t get access to help,” said Ms Hendy. “That’s why a day like today is really important.”
“Elder abuse is not acceptable. Individuals should rethink their ideas if they are contemplating it. Other people should become aware [of the issue] and act on the older person’s behalf to say that what is going on is not right.
“We have a very ageist society…I think we need a much bigger campaign and understanding of this problem. Older people need to understand that there is a place to come to receive help.”
The Office of Senior Victorians and Victoria University run, in partnership, free seminars on financial literacy and safeguards for older people throughout Victoria during the year.
For help, call Seniors Rights Victoria’s hotline on 1300 368 821 or EAPU’s helpline on 1300 651 192 (outside Queensland dial 07 3250 1836).
SOURCE: The Australian Ageing Agenda
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