World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 in Australia | Do we treat our seniors better or worse?

Now, almost two years later, The Senior can't tell you if the situation has improved or become worse... because it appears no one is compiling national data.

In the lead-up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, we contacted the Attorney-General's Department seeking the latest figures.

They weren't forthcoming. However, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus did warn elder abuse was a problem and would only get worse as the population ages.

"The number of older Australians will double to around nine million over the next 25 years," he said.

"To ensure older Australians, including ourselves, can live in dignity and safety, we need to strengthen our efforts to tackle the abuse of older Australians now."

Fine words, but simply repeating statistics from a report compiled using data from 2021 (possibly earlier) is just not good enough in light of huge social and financial changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living pressures.

This has placed some of our most vulnerable older people at greater risk of abuse, especially financial and psychological.

The 2021 study figures show we should be alarmed: 471,300 people experienced psychological abuse; 115,500 suffered neglect; 83,800 were victims of physical abuse; and 71,900 people suffered sexual abuse. Even worse, only a third of victims seek help, leaving about 400,000 suffering in silence every year.

We have a national helpline, and individual state helplines staffed by caring souls who hear harrowing stories daily. How many? We'd like to know.

The National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (2019-2023) expires in June.

The plan included $4 million to support the national elder abuse knowledge hub compass.info.

It also funded the national freecall ELDERHelp phone line, which automatically redirects callers to the helpline in their own state or territory, and provided $1.2 million to support peak body Elder Abuse Action Australia.

Other programs funded were 12 specialist services, including specialist elder abuse units, health-justice partnerships and case management and mediation services; and the development of a national campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse and the support available. The plan also included the government working with states and territories to reform enduring power of attorney arrangements.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has been commissioned to undertake a formal evaluation of the current plan (due by June 30) to inform development of the new plan.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network will host an online conversation with members of its National Older Persons Reference Group on June 15 at 2pm AEST. It will involve discussion of the experiences of older people, and foster a dialogue around ageism and abuse. Click here for details.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is about helping people recognise the signs that someone is suffering from an abusive relationship and let them know where to get help.

It was launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organisation at the United Nations.

Elder abuse is an act which causes harm to an older person, and is often carried out by someone known and trusted.

The abuse can take a range of forms, including:

Financial abuse: the illegal or improper use of an older person's money or property, including the misuse of an enduring power of attorney document.

Psychological abuse: causing mental anguish, fear of violence, feelings of shame, humiliation and powerlessness.

Physical abuse: inflicting pain or injury. It includes hitting, slapping, restraining or over/under medicating.

Social abuse: preventing a person from having social contact with family and friends or accessing social activities.

Neglect: an intentional or unintentional failure by a carer to provide necessities of life to a person who depends on them.

Sexual abuse: sexual assault, rape or any activity that makes an older person uncomfortable about their body or gender; for example unwanted text messages.

You can help someone experiencing elder abuse by starting the conversation with them.

Let them know the abuse is not their fault and tell them about the Elder Abuse Helpline and other services that are available to offer confidential help.

Respect their right to make their own decisions and understand they may not be ready to take action.

Don't be critical or make negative comments about the abusive person.