The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland today launched a research brief that aims to give a voice to a silent and vulnerable minority. Insights into elder abuse calls for legislation to be reviewed, North and South, and for services to take into account the needs of older people.

Drawing on a research project funded by CARDI and led by Dr Emer Begley from Age Action Ireland, the research brief points to a link between elder abuse and older people’s status and value to society.

“Only a small proportion of older people report that they have been abused but we also have institutional abuse, where the views of older people are ignored and their needs take second place”, commented CARDI director, Dr Roger O’Sullivan.

“We are delighted to have funded this research which gives a voice to older people themselves to say what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented or at least minimised. One message coming our clearly is that empowering older people and ensuring they have an active role in society is likely to reduce situations in which abuse is likely to take place”, Dr O’Sullivan said.

Insights into elder abuse research brief

"A Total Indifference to Our Dignity", Age Action report

Notes for editors
The research brief and the full research report were launched at a seminar in Dublin this morning.
Dr Emer Begley, Age Action Ireland, teamed up with Dr Janet Carter Anand, Queen’s University, Belfast; Campbell Killick, South East Health and Social Care Trust (NI); Marita O’Brien, Research Consultant; and Dr Brian Taylor, University of Ulster.

Four older peer researchers helped with the project: Mary McCarthy and Evelyn Moran (ROI); and Sam McCrossan and Evelyn Doyle (NI).

For more information please contact Conor Breen, Policy Officer at conor@cardi.ie.