World Elder Abuse Awareness Day takes place today (June 15th). Events are taking place all over the world to highlight the issue and promote detection and prevention of abuse of older people.  

It is now estimated that 5 per cent of Irish older people have been victims of elder abuse although many experts believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg and many more people may be suffering in silence. 

The definition of elder abuse is wide and varied. It can include a wide range of abusive behaviours including verbal, sexual and physical abuse, psychological bullying, and financial abuse.  

Recognising Abuse 

Before 2002, elder abuse was virtually unrecognised as an issue in Ireland. The report Protecting Our Future by the Working Group on Elder Abuse (DOHC, 2002) was a seminal document setting out a framework and programme of work in relation to elder abuse. Prior to Protecting Our Future, the issue of elder abuse had not been explicitly articulated as a priority of health and social policy.  

The report included recommendations in 13 wide-ranging areas: the link to wider policy; policy on elder abuse; staff structure; legislation; impaired capacity; carers; awareness, education and training; financial abuse; advocacy; implementation; research and education; reporting abuse. Protecting Our Future was reviewed in July 2009 by the National Council on Ageing and Older People (NCAOP), on the basis of terms of reference agreed with the Elder Abuse National implementation Group (EANIG) (both groups have since been disbanded). 

Increasing public awareness 

Cases of reported elder abuse in the Republic of Ireland doubled between 2006 and 2007 and, with population ageing, are expected to continue increasing. The most recent report on reported cases of elder abuse was released last week by the HSE (Health Service Executive). Open Your Eyes revealed that there were 1,870 referrals to the Elder Abuse Service in 2009, a slight increase over 2008. It also found that older people were most likely to be abused by close relatives. The HSE has today launched an "Open Your Eyes" DVD at a special seminar in the National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NCPOP), UCD to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It has been produced for members of the public to help them understand what elder abuse is, recognise the signs and outlines options for older people suffering from abuse.  

Researching elder abuse in Ireland 

Elder abuse is often an uncomfortable subject matter for some but as our population ages it is imperative that it be brought out into the open and that we ensure all older people are treated with respect and dignity. Research into both the prevalence and attitudes towards elder abuse can help better inform the establishment of effective structures to deal with abuse and reporting and social policy in this area. 

The National Centre for the Protection of Older People in University College Dublin, which was formally opened last year, is undertaking a programme of research funded by the Health Service Executive into elder abuse in Ireland. It will also be developed to integrate elder abuse issues from the arenas of health, social welfare, justice, finance and legal authorities.  

CARDI has funded an all-island research project, led by Dr Emer Begley, Age Action Ireland and Dr Janet Carter-Anand, Trinity College Dublin working with Ulster University, which will look at the issue of elder abuse as seen by older people through the use of focus groups and workshops. The project aims to define how older people see elder abuse and what they consider to be the main threats to their safety. It also aims to identify suitable supports and how these could be improved, and compare and contrast access to services across Ireland. The project is due for completion next year. For more information please click here. 

Useful links:

www.ageaction.ie

www.hse.ie

www.ncpop.ie