Elder abuse is on the rise but Queenslanders may not speaking up and reporting it.
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Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland chief executive Darren Young said with Australia's ageing population set to double in the next 25 years, we need to prioritise education around abuse.
"We know from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence study that older adults experience abuse in many forms including financial abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse, with emotional or psychological abuse being the most commonly experienced, followed by neglect," he said.
"Concerningly, we also know that elder abuse is under-reported, but we don't know to what extent. We need more research to better understand why older Queenslanders may not be speaking up."
In the recent State of the Older Nation survey report by the COTA Federation, one in 10 people over 50 reported experiencing elder abuse or knowing someone who has (with women more likely than men to have experienced or knew someone who had experienced abuse).
COTA Queensland's Listening Post project late last year showed people experiencing or at risk of abuse are some of society's most vulnerable.
"Elder abuse is often a more hidden issue like the pressures of cost of living, social isolation and loneliness, and ageism," Mr Young said.
"Older adults can feel shame and embarrassment in speaking up."
COTA Queensland encourages communities to support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.
The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Helpline in Queensland received 2338 calls about abuse last year, up 15 per cent and surpassing the record number of calls in the previous year.
Psychological, financial and social abuse were the main complaints, although it was common for victims to experience more than one type of abuse, including physical, sexual and neglect.
It's believed the economic and housing crises have fuelled the rise in abuse as adult children move back in with their elderly parents.
UnitingCare's Year in Review report highlighted the devastating impact of elder abuse, with victims often experiencing psychological distress, deterioration in their health, and financial consequences.
In close to two-thirds of cases (65 per cent), victims and perpetrators were living together. The proportion of cases in which victims and perpetrators cohabit has increased by 74 per cent since 2018.
The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, through Uniting Care, provides a hotline for older adults and concerned community members.
Multiple free seniors legal and support services also operate around the state.
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.
Who to call
- If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger call 000.
- National Elder Abuse phone line 1800-353-374.
- Elder Abuse Prevention Unit 1300-651-192, eapu.com.au