World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2016

Today, June 15 2016 is the UN designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This is a day to remind our community that human rights do not diminish as people get older, and that everyone has the right to live with dignity and respect. This year, many organisations around Australia and the world will be holding awareness activities, with the theme ‘We can stop elder abuse’.

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Elder abuse is vastly under-reported but the World Health Organisation estimates that up to 10 per cent of older people worldwide are affected. It is a symptom of both the ageism and sexism that are rife in our society.

The latest figures compiled the National Ageing Research Institute of Seniors Rights Victoria data show that financial abuse and psychological/emotional abuse together are the most common forms of abuse reported by older Victorians (81.82%). Victims are most likely to be female (72.5%), and the perpetrators are 60% male and 40% female. 92.3% of abuse is perpetrated by persons related to the older person or in a de facto relationship: 66.8% of abuse is perpetrated by a child of the older person.

Susan Ryan, the Age Discrimination Commissioner, has called for a co-ordinated national approach to countering elder abuse – one that involves the government and community sectors and which "empowers" older people through a human rights-based approach to seek help or to speak out. At the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, elder abuse organisations identified a long list long list of barriers limiting older people’s access to justice and services, and made a number of recommendations.

Warning signs of elder abuse may include an older person seeming fearful, anxious or isolated. There may be injuries, or an absence of personal care. Disappearance of possessions, unexplained financial transactions, and changes to a will, title or other documents are also of concern, as are arguments with a caregiver. Given that most elder abuse occurs behind closed doors, it is important for loved ones to watch out for signs, listen and offer help.

To guard against elder abuse, older people should make sure their financial, medical, legal and other affairs are in order. They must also be empowered to recognise signs of elder abuse, and speak out. Older Victorians experiencing elder abuse can get help by calling Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm. The website is www.seniorsrights.org.au.

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