Elder abuse
Elder abuse
Elder abuse occurs when someone an older person knows and trusts causes them harm. It is usually done by a family member.
Elder abuse occurs regardless of gender, race, cultural values, religion or socioeconomic factors. Some forms of elder abuse might be more serious or have greater impact than others, but all forms of abuse are unacceptable.
Research from Australia and overseas shows that up to 14 per cent of older people may be experiencing elder abuse. The real number may be higher because many people feel they cannot speak up. While older women are two to three times more likely to experience abuse than older men, the proportion of older men who experience abuse is higher than for younger men.
Challenging the decisions and behaviours of a close relative or friend can be difficult for some older people. It is important that older people have support and are able to talk to someone they know and trust. It is also important that they can seek independent legal and financial advice, particularly before signing legal documents such as contracts, so that they can make confident, informed decisions.
For community information, factsheets and resources on elder abuse, visit
Seniors
Online
External Link
.
What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, usually a family member. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
Elder abuse is a form of
family violence
.
Different types of elder abuse include:
physical abuse – such as kicking, hitting, locking in a room, use of restraints
emotional or psychological abuse – such as pressuring, intimidating, bullying, name-calling, degrading, humiliating
sexual abuse – forcing the older person to engage in unwanted sexual behaviours or viewing obscene videos in the presence of an older person without their consent
neglect – failure to provide necessities such as adequate food, accommodation or medication
social abuse – preventing contact with family and friends and involvement in social activities; restricting movement in the home
financial abuse – taking advantage of powers of attorney, stealing the older person’s money, forcing them to transfer property titles, or preventing them from accessing their own money.
Elder abuse – how to find help in Victoria
If you are experiencing elder abuse, or think you might be, call
Seniors Rights
Victoria
External Link
on
1300 368 821
for information, advice and support. The service is confidential and is staffed by qualified and experienced people. Services include:
a free helpline
legal services
short-term support and advocacy
community education.
You can also call the Seniors Rights Victoria Helpline if you think that a client or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse.
Never feel ashamed to ask for help. If you are being physically abused, bullied or pressured to do things by someone you know; or if someone you rely on is neglecting you, threatening you or failing to look after you as they promised, let someone know. This could be a trusted neighbour, friend, GP, nurse or pharmacist.
If you are in an unsafe or life threatening situation, or know someone who is, call the police on triple zero (000).
‘Where to get help’, at the bottom of this fact sheet, provides a list of other ways to find help if you are experiencing elder abuse, or if you just need some advice and support.
Abuse and neglect in aged care facilities
Older people are also at risk of abuse or neglect in long-term care institutions such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities. In Victoria this form of abuse falls under the
Aged Care Act 1997
(Commonwealth)
External Link
. If you think that someone you know who is living in an aged care facility may be experiencing abuse or neglect, contact the
Aged Care Complaints
Commissioner
External Link
(Tel.
1800 951 822
).
Elder abuse – how to find help in other parts of Australia
Services are available in each state and territory of Australia to help people experiencing elder abuse. See the ‘Where to get help’ section at the bottom of this fact sheet for information about elder abuse support services in your state or territory.
People experiencing elder abuse do not always seek help
Some older people experiencing elder abuse may not seek help because of:
feelings of guilt and shame
fear of retaliation
fear of damaging family relationships
belief that aggression and violence is a normal part of family life
fear that seeking help will lead to living in a nursing home or institution
lack of physical or mental capacity because of disability
lack of knowledge about available sources of help.
If you are unsure about asking for help, remember, it is your right to feel safe. No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse, mistreatment or neglect. Elder abuse is a form of family violence, and it is unacceptable.
Signs of elder abuse
Signs that an older person may be abused include:
malnutrition and dehydration
poor personal hygiene or dirty clothes
untreated medical problems
fearful, anxious, withdrawn or cowed behaviour
unexplained and frequent injuries such as black eyes and broken bones
unexplained bruises or cuts on the genitals or anus
unexplained sexually transmitted infections
unexpected and sudden changes in financial status.
If you think someone you know is showing signs of elder abuse and you are in need of advice, you can call
Seniors Rights
Victoria
External Link
on
1300 368 821
for free, confidential information, support and assistance.
Risk factors for elder abuse
Known risk factors for elder abuse within a family home may include:
the older person is dependent on someone else for care
the carer or family member:
finds it stressful looking after the older person
resents having to look after the older person
is experiencing other types of stress, such as financial troubles
does not have enough support or respite
a history of family violence within the family
the carer or family member and the older person have different cultural values
the older person was an abusive parent towards their adult child
the carer or family member or the older person (or both) has a mental health condition
the carer or family member or the older person (or both) has a substance abuse (alcohol or other drugs) problem.
If you are a carer and you need support, contact
Carers Australia
Victoria
External Link
on
1800 242 636
. They can help you find the practical, financial and emotional support you need.
Elder abuse and CALD communities
Elder abuse can affect people from all cultural backgrounds. While there is no evidence to suggest that there is a higher prevalence of elder abuse in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, it may be more hidden due to shame and stigma, added language barriers, or lack of awareness about elder abuse and the options available to people experiencing it.
The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria has produced a short film about elder abuse, '
Within my
Walls
External Link
’ – available in several community languages, to spread awareness of elder abuse to people in CALD communities.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Police Tel. 000
Seniors Rights
Victoria
External Link
helpline Tel.
1300 368 821
MyAgedCare
External Link
for Australia wide elder abuse contacts
National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline Tel.
1800 880 052
1800
RESPECT
External Link
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service Tel.
1800 737 732
Elder Abuse Information Line for the
Territory
External Link
(NT) Tel.
1800 037 072
NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource
Unit
External Link
Tel.
1800 628 221
Elder Abuse Prevention Unit
Queensland
External Link
Tel.
1300 651 192
South Australian elder abuse prevention phone
line
External Link
Tel.
1800 372 310
Tasmanian Elder Abuse
Helpline
External Link
Tel.
1800 441 169
or
(03) 6237 0047
Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Western
Australia
External Link
Tel.
(08) 9479 7566