To understand elder abuse and identify an older person at risk of abuse, it helps to start by thinking about our own lives and understanding our rights.
Dr Kay Patterson, the Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, said, “We all want a good life. We want our rights to be respected and to be valued for the unique individuals we are. We want to live in a safe and comfortable environment and in communities where we look out for each other.”
We want this for ourselves and the people we love. The reality is that some older people are not respected, and in many cases, taken advantage of by someone they love or trust.
In this article we look at:
- How can I identify an older person at risk of abuse?
- What are the forms of elder abuse?
- Who perpetrates elder abuse?
- Valuable contributions older people make to the community
- What you can do if you or someone else suspects an older person is experiencing elder abuse
This snapshot into elder abuse may help you become more aware of what it is, the signs to look out for, and the way to prevent elder abuse.
Please note, As of August 2023, the Victorian Government is defunding 70% of the elder abuse specialist positions in Victoria. For referrers and enquiries about the integrated model of care (IMOC) service ceasing mid-August 2023, Better Place Australia can provide Elder Abuse Specialist Services through Orange Doors in the following local government areas (LGA). Click here for more details.
How can I identify an older person at risk of abuse?
Senior Rights Victoria puts it this way: “Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust.”
At times, older people may not recognise the abuse, they are too ashamed or in denial about it because it’s being perpetrated by a loved one or a person they know and trust.
There are different forms of elder abuse. As a result, there are different signs that you will see to identify elder abuse. Let’s look at those.
What are the forms of elder abuse?
The harm caused to an older person can be invisible or visible. For example, the Centre for Better Relationships, says, “Coercive control is an invisible abuse which affects an older person mentally and/or emotionally. It is a form of family violence that often goes unnoticed due to its subtle nature. It could be words that manipulate or actions that deprive the older person of their ability to make their own decisions.”
Elder abuse can be a single or repeated act of:
- poor care/neglect
- emotional or psychological manipulation
- physical injury
- sexual abuse
- misuse of an older person’s assets or financial resources
- any other form of abuse
Sometimes, an older person may not be aware they are experiencing elder abuse.
If you are experiencing abuse, you may notice:
- your money or property is missing
- you’re being forced to change your will or sign a power of attorney
- you’re being neglected or isolated
- you’re scared to tell others what you want
- you’ve been verbally or physically assaulted
- someone is keeping your friends and family away
- you no longer feel happy about your life
Who would be causing an older people to experience this distress?
Who perpetrates elder abuse?
Australian data and studies consistently report that elder abuse is often perpetrated by a family member, Carer or someone else in a position of trust. It’s important to note that elder abuse can be intentional or unintentional.
Some people are unaware that they may be perpetrating elder abuse. Because of the lack of understanding of what elder abuse is, or a momentary lapse in patience or misunderstanding, a loved one can react in a way that falls under the category of elder abuse.
Their actions may be depriving the older person of their right to live their own life and make their own decisions. By becoming more aware of elder abuse and what it is, this person can address the way they approach issues with the older person.
One driver of elder abuse is ageism. This attitude promotes the stereotype that all older people are frail, have restricted mobility, or have reduced mental capacity. Elder abuse often starts with ‘benevolent ageism’; where attitudes tip the scales towards protection and away from respect for an older person’s independence and autonomy. For example, limiting an older person’s social interactions or activities in ways that go beyond public health advice about catching the flu.
During the pandemic, elder abuse prevention services responded to situations where the adult child ‘moved’ their parents in with them to ‘protect’ them, with disastrous consequences. In one case the older parent was moved into their child’s backyard shed. In another, the older parent was put into a room of the house, forced to eat, sleep and spend all their time there.
Watch Pearl share her story of being abused by people she knew and trusted.
Is it possible elder abuse is also perpetuated by a person’s lack of understanding or inability to see the contributions older people make to society?
Valuable contributions older people make to the community
Sometimes, we can forget the contribution that older people make to our society. Older people are a foundation stone providing enduring positive economic contribution and social glue to the country.
Just some of these ways include:
- the level of social care they provide
- the amount of time spent volunteering
- the level of skills and technical expertise they contribute
- providing advocacy and guidance to younger people
- leadership roles they take on and the high levels of membership in local groups
- contributing to local safety, such as helping children travel to school safely
- underpinning the viability of local services
- donating to worthy causes
- their spending power
- contributing to taxes
The list of positive contributions older people make to the community, goes on.
What you can do if you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse
Support from friends, community or family members is an important part of increasing safety for someone living with abuse. If you are concerned for the older person, but aren’t sure exactly what is going on, services like Better Place Australia and Seniors Rights Victoria can provide information and advice. Involving the right services early can help identify when an older person is at risk. Being informed about the services that are available, can be a great help to an older person, but you don’t need to take over or make all the decisions.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you first suspect something. The earlier you respond to the abuse, the better. Listening to the person’s story is important. Freely talking about the situation can help make sense of what is happening. Judgement or criticism may stop them sharing important information.
Take the abuse seriously. It can be hard for people to share what is happening. An older person is more likely to downplay the abuse, rather than make it up or exaggerate. Supporting the older person to stay connected and increase safety, is the best thing you can do. It is recommended to involve a professional person if the older person agrees.
Better Place Australia Elder Abuse Prevention Services in Melbourne and beyond have supported over 1000 people and their families. You can contact a support service like Better Place Australia to discuss the situation by calling 1800 214 117.
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