AN OLDER person you know seems fearful, anxious or isolated. It could be a sign the person is suffering elder abuse.
We Can Stop Elder Abuse is the message of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.
And one way we can help stop abuse is to recognise the signs: such as injuries, an absence of personal care, the disappearance of personal possessions, unexplained financial transactions, unpaid bills, or changes to a will, property title or other documents.
Like most other forms of family violence, most elder abuse takes place behind closed doors - so it is important to watch out for signs, listen and offer help.
It can be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual, and can include mistreatment and neglect.
More often than not, the abuse involves a close family member.
Older people themselves can reduce the risk of abuse by ensuring their financial, medical, legal and other affairs are in order.
"The abuse of older people is abhorrent and intolerable," said NSW Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies.
"Older people have the right to be safe, to be treated well, and to live free from abuse."
In Queensland, which has experienced a concerning 15 per cent rise in calls to its state helpline, Seniors Minister Coralee O'Rourke has conceded that laws must change to protect ageing Australians.
"Wrong is wrong," she said. "There is no excuse for elder abuse - whether physical or financial, psychological or neglect; it is wrong."
Elder law specialist Brian Herd says what he describes as "parent piracy" is rising exponentially - "and it's being allowed to because elder abuse is far more subtle than what conventional criminal law deals with".
"Domestic violence laws do not apply to financial abuse and current criminal law does not fit the elder abuse cases," he said.
Clearly there is something wrong when my pet is adequately protected by law from abuse but not my mother."
Need help?
NSW: Elder Abuse Helpline 1800-628-221
ACT: Older Persons Abuse Prevention Referral and Information Line (02) 6205-3535
Victoria: Seniors Rights Victoria 1300-368-821 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
www.seniorsrights.org.au
Queensland: Elder Abuse Prevention Uni Helpline 1300-651-192
www.eapu.com.au
South Australia: SA Elder Abuse Prevention phone line 1800-372-310
Aged Rights Advocacy Service (08) 8232-5377
www.sa.agedrights.asn.au
Western Australia: Elder Abuse Helpline 1300-724-679
www.advocare.org.au
Tasmania: Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline, 1800-441-169
Northern Territory: Elder Abuse Information Line 1800-037-072
- For more about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day elderabuseawarenessday.org.au