Dealing with an abusive adult son

Story courtesy of ABC TV.

Mary-Lou’s adult son use to park his car across her driveway to block her in her home, and then demand money. He used to want to trap her. He’d come in, pick up an umbrella and put a hole through the wall. Mary Lou shared, “The abuse was all about money and control. He would rack up hotel bills in my name, or fines. He’d tell me to move into an old aged home, sell this place”.

He told her that he wished she would stop breathing because he couldn’t stand the sound, threatened her all the time, and caused damage multiple times by throwing things at the walls. Mary-Lou said she was humiliated, horrified and felt all alone. At the time, she said, “I had suicidal thoughts. I was thinking all sorts of funny thoughts.”

Mary-Lou finally sought help from police and a solicitor to get intervention orders, and then in 2019, found a family case worker funded through the Victorian government’s integrated model of care for elder abuse program. Mary-Lou said, “If it wasn’t for them [Elder abuse services], I don’t know what I would have done.”

For information about Better Place Australia’s elder abuse prevention services, and how they can help, click here.

Story courtesy of ABC TV.

Watch the video case study below of another older woman who had to deal with an intimidating and abusive family, and how she managed.

Better Place Australia elder abuse prevention services

The mission of Better Place Australia is to empower people to become more resilient, enjoy healthier relationships and support them through challenging times. When it comes to feeling like you are being abused, taken advantage of, being mistreated, Better Place Australia elder abuse prevention services may be what you need to take control, help restore family relationships, and remain safe. For more details, contact us today.