Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is any behaviour within a relationship of trust that harms an older person. It can happen to anyone, across all ethnic groups, all levels of education and all economic backgrounds. It is estimated that in Queensland about 25,000 older people are abused each year by someone they trust.

Types of abuse

• Financial mistreatment - illegal or improper use of a person's money or possessions.

• Psychological mistreatment - causing fear or shame, intimidating, humiliating or threatening.

• Physical mistreatment - inflicting pain or injury, e.g. hitting, slapping, restraining or over-medicating.

• Sexual mistreatment - sexually harassing, assaulting or embarrassing.

• Social mistreatment - preventing a person from having social contact with family members or friends.

• Neglect - intentional or unintentional failure to provide necessities of life and care.

Why don't we hear more about it?

• It is only recently that elder abuse has been recognised.

• Those who suffer mistreatment are sometimes isolated.

• People might feel ashamed to admit that someone close to them is abusing them.

• Some people might blame themselves for what is happening to them.

• Older people might think that abuse does not happen others.

• Some people might be afraid of what will happen to them if they tell others about their situation.

• Media stories about elder abuse might influence the way the community views older people.

What contributes to elder abuse?

• Attitudes towards older people by family members and others in the community.

• Increased isolation from others.

• Language and cultural barriers restricting what people know about services or access available to them.

• Family members feeling it's their duty to provide care to ageing parents and their refusal to accept outside help.

• Widening cultural gap between the generations in the family.

• A family member's financial dependence on the older person.

• An abuser's drug or alcohol dependency.

• An older person's dementia contributing to the carer's stress.

What can be done?

• The use of services and community resources is everyone's right, not a charity. Many services assist older people to remain living at home and to retain a quality lifestyle.

• There are organisations and groups that provide assistance to carers.

• Participation of older people in social and educational activities might benefit the whole family and reduce stress, anger and conflict.

• Talking it over with someone you trust, e.g. your doctor.

• Develop a network of people you trust and can talk to about anything.

• Living with the family is not always the best option and seperation might improve relationships.

• Not making decisions or signing papers without proper explanation or legal advice.

• Calling police if you are in immediate physical danger.

• When in need, request an accredited interpreter for a confidential service.

• If you have been a victim of elder abuse, you can apply for a protection order at no cost from the Magistratres Court under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 1989 to protect you against future violence or abuse.

Help and Information

• Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, ph: 1300 651 192, provides a statewide confidential telephone information, support and referral service for anyone experiencing abuse or witnessing the abuse of an older person. Phone from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday for the cost of a local call.

• Victims Counselling and Support Service, ph: 1300 139 703, provides a range of free support services to victims of crime and their families 24 hours a day.

• Crime Stoppers, ph: 1800 333 000, is a 24-hour telephone hotline for members of the public to provide anonymous information about criminal activity.

• Seniors Enquiry Line, ph: 1300 135 500, provides information and referals for seniors on a range of issues.

• DV Connect is a 24-hour Domestic Violence contact for men and women.
  Women's Line: 1800 811 811,
  Men's Line: 1800 600 636.

• Office of the Adult Guardian, ph: 1300 653 187, helps people with impaired decision-making capacity by acting as their decision-maker in certain circumstances, being an advocate, and giving advice about decision-making on behalf of adults with impaired capacity. It also investigates allegations of physical and financial neglect or abuse.