Age Action is concerned that thousands of older people may be silently suffering elder abuse, despite the existence of trained staff who could intervene.

In the two years since their appointment, the HSE’s elder abuse staff have received 2,767 complaints. However, international research has found that between 3% and 5% of the older population have experienced elder abuse at some stage of the latter years of their lives. If true in Ireland, that would mean between 14,400 and 24,000 older people have experienced elder abuse.

Speaking on World Elder Abuse Day (today, June 15), Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said friends, neighbours and organisations working with older people had to play a greater role in identifying cases of elder abuse supporting the person being abused.

“An analysis of the elder abuse complaints received by the HSE in 2007 and 2008 shows that the majority of complaints were reported by public health nurses and other HSE staff,” he noted. “In contrast, other voluntary and statutory organisations accounted for less than five per cent of referrals.”

“Age Action is really concerned that many people are suffering unnecessarily, not knowing that help is at hand which could stop the abuse.”

Organisations which have regular contact with older people must ensure that their staff are trained to identify suspected elder abuse and know how to help the older person who is being abused, he said.

“We have come a long way in recent years to put in place a structure to address this serious issue, but we now need to educate older people, groups who work with them and the wider community.”

Last year almost 80% of alleged abusers were family members, yet family members accounted for just 15% of referrals to the HSE. “Within this context groups which work with older people have a greater responsibility to educate their members about the possible indicators of elder abuse, and what steps should be taken when it is suspected an older people is being abused,” Mr Webster said. (See list of possible indicators at the end of this press release). “When it comes to elder abuse, doing nothing is never an option.”

Age Action urges any older person who is being abused to contact the HSE. Members of the public are also encouraged to act where they know, or suspect, that abuse is occurring.

Contact details for your local dedicated elder abuse officer are available from your local HSE office or by phoning the HSE’s information line at 1850 24 1850.

Elder abuse is defined as: “a single or repeated action, or lack of appropriate action, which occurs within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, and which causes harm or distress to an older person.” It can take several forms, including physical, financial, psychological, material or sexual. It can also take the form of passive or active neglect.

'Protecting our Future', the report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse, published in September 2002, outlined the following possible indicators of elder abuse:
 

Psychological

Demoralisation;

Depression;

Feelings of hopelessness / helplessness;

Disrupted appetite / sleeping pattern;

Tearfulness;

Excessive fears;

Agitation;

Resignation;

Confusion;

Unexplained paranoia.

Neglect

Dehydration;

Malnutrition;

Inappropriate clothing;

Poor hygiene;

Unkempt appearance;

Under/over medicated;

Unattended medical needs;

Exposure to danger / lack
of supervision;

Absence of required aids, including reading glasses, dentures;

Pressure sores

Financial

Unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills;

Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts;

Funds diverted for someone else’s use;

Being charged for unsolicited work or significantly overcharged for work done;
 

Unexplained disappearance of possessions;

No funds for food, clothes, services;

Refusal to spend money;

Disparity between living conditions and assets;

Extraordinary interest by family member in person's assets;

Making dramatic financial decisions.

Physical

Bruises or cuts (particularly to mouth, lips, gums, eyes, ears);

Abrasions;

Scratches;

Burns (inflicted by cigarettes, matches, rope, iron, immersion in hot water);

Sprains;

Dislocations;

Fractures;

Hair loss (possible hair pulling);

Missing teeth;

Eye injuries, e.g. black eye.

Sexual

Trauma about the genitals, breasts, rectum, mouth;

Injury to face, neck, chest, abdomen, thighs, buttocks;

Presence of sexually transmitted disease