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Uniting Against Elder Abuse

in
Date published: 
Monday, January 26, 2009
News source: 
Communityni.org
Region: 
Northern Ireland
Featured item on home page: 
no

Uniting Against Elder Abuse launches a region-wide awareness campaign which aims to tackle the scandal of elder abuse in Northern Ireland.

 

Uniting Against Elder Abuse, funded by Comic Relief, brings together Age Concern Northern Ireland, Alzheimer’s Society, Carers Northern Ireland, and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland with the specific aim to raise awareness of the problem of elder abuse, provide access to independent advocacy and advice and develop a therapeutic response to support those who experience abuse.

Claire Keatinge, spokesperson for the Uniting Against Elder Abuse project said:

No older person should have to suffer the indignity of abuse, however some don’t report abuse because they may fear that no-one will believe them or they may rely on their abuser for care and are fearful of the consequences. In cases where a person has dementia, they might be unable to fully understand and communicate what is happening to them.

"Make no mistake about it, elder abuse is happening in Northern Ireland and we all have a responsibility to familiarise ourselves with the facts and to make sure that older people in our society are protected against all forms of abuse and receive appropriate help and advice when it is reported.

"35 per cent of adults in Northern Ireland have not heard of the term ‘Elder Abuse’ and 21 per cent do not know if they would be able to recognise if an older person they knew was being abused. It is therefore vital that our awareness of elder abuse and its indicators is increased."

 

Elder abuse occurs when an older man or woman is harmed, mistreated, neglected or exploited. A reported 10,000 older people in Northern Ireland have been abused at the hands of a family member, friend, care worker, neighbour or acquaintance, however much abuse is never reported.

While financial abuse and neglect are among the highest reported types of elder abuse in Northern Ireland other types of abuse that are prevalent include physical, sexual and psychological.

Claire Keatinge, continued:

Uniting Against Elder Abuse is working to highlight the prevalence of elder abuse in Northern Ireland. Contacting Uniting Against Elder Abuse is the first step towards ending the abuse."

As part of the public awareness campaign local personalities from the BBC and UTV have contributed to the production of a DVD which illustrates real life elder abuse cases in Northern Ireland. An information booklet and poster have also been produced and can be requested from Help the Aged in Northern Ireland by calling 028 9023 0666.

Please contact one of the following Uniting Against Elder Abuse partners if you have experienced, witnessed or suspect elder abuse:

  • Age Concern Northern Ireland - 028 9032 5055
  • The Alzheimer’s Society - 028 9066 4100
  • Carers Northern Ireland - 028 9043 9843
  • Help the Aged in Northern Ireland free helpline SeniorLine - 0808 808 7575

 

 

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