HealthInfo Canterbury

Elder abuse & neglect

Te whakamanioro pēperekōu

Abuse is never OK, and neither is feeling scared in any place or with any people where you should feel safe.

Elder abuse is when an older person experiences harm or distress. Harm can happen in different ways, such as physical (hitting or lashing out) or psychological (emotional) abuse. It can also include financial abuse, sexual abuse, cultural abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse can be a single or repeated act, or it can be lack of appropriate action. It occurs within a relationship in which there should be trust and this trust is abused.

It often involves abusive behaviour or violence, but it can also be subtle, and the older person may not realise they're being abused.

It can happen in an older person's home, a carer's home, in residential care or in a healthcare setting.

The abuser is often known to the person and may be a partner, whānau (family) member, friend, carer or health worker.

There are over 2200 cases of suspected elder abuse each year. It's estimated that three-quarters of cases of elder abuse go unreported. Older people may not report abuse due to fear, guilt, shame or concerns about privacy, particularly if the abuser is a whānau member. Older people with memory issues are particularly vulnerable and unlikely to report abuse.

Getting help for abuse

If you're feeling scared or being abused, there are many people available to help you.

The first thing to do is to tell someone. This can be hard. Sometimes it's easier to tell someone you don't know.

You could tell a friend, health professional, the police or a support person. You can call the elder abuse 24-hour helpline EA NOT OK (0800-32-668-65) or Family Violence Information Line on 0800‑456‑450.

Signs of abuse

Signs that suggest you or an elderly person you care about is in a situation of abuse include:

• feelings of being afraid of a carer or a carer being overly controlling or protective
• appearing tense or afraid when in the company of the carer
• appearing passive, confused or ashamed
• increasing worry, low mood, irritability, loss of interest in life, social withdrawal, loss of appetite or insomnia
• signs of physical harm, such as unexplained injuries or bruises
• signs of neglect, such as poor hygiene, weight loss or inappropriate or falling-apart clothing
• access to medication being restricted or controlled
• access to the telephone, mobility aids or continence products being restricted
• access to other whānau members being limited or restricted
• complaints of being left alone for long periods
• financial problems or reluctance to make a will, which suggest someone is taking advantage of their assets. This might include another person taking bank cards away and using them.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Age Concern – Elder abuse response service

  The Elder Abuse Response Service aims to improve the quality of life of older people in abusive situations and prevent abuse by providing information, advocacy and support. If you have concerns about the way you or someone you know is being treated, spoken to and cared for, or if you're concerned about how money is spent and property is being used, they offer a free and confidential service to help.

  You can phone for help on (03) 366-0903 in Canterbury, (03) 687-7372 in South Canterbury or (03) 789-7659 on the West Coast.

• Te Tari Kaumātua Office for Seniors – Elder abuse awareness

  Learn about elder abuse, including types of abuse and how to identify it.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2022.

Sources

Page reference: 136031

Review key: HIELA-136031