Why aren't abused older people being supported?

Age Concern says it's a tragedy that some seniors facing elder abuse and neglect get less support because they live in the 'wrong' parts of the country.

Minister for Senior Citizens John Carter said yesterday that Government has no money for further elder abuse and neglect prevention services, meaning at least 12 key areas will continue to go without.

"On behalf of older New Zealanders, we're asking the Minister to try again," Age Concern national president Liz Baxendine says.

"The Minister says that preventing elder abuse and neglect is one of his top priorities. Appropriately he said this most recently at a hui called 'Breaking the Silence'. Now we're calling on Mr Carter to break his silence and back up his talk with action.

"This is a opportunity for the Minister for Senior Citizens to live up to his title by advocating for older people. We're asking him to support a Budget bid to get older people the services they need."

A proposal from Age Concern New Zealand would have seen local agencies tendering for services to help prevent elder abuse and neglect and support older people with complex needs in the community.

John Carter, in a letter received today by Age Concern, said "Your proposal around elder abuse prevention makes a lot of sense. [But] we are not planning to make budget bids in the areas you propose."

"It's time for the Minister to do more to advocate for his portfolio," Liz Baxendine says. "It's appalling that vulnerable older people in areas with significant senior populations aren't getting the support they need from Government."

"In parts of the country with services, Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention teams get at least two new cases of abuse every day. But they could do more if they weren't handicapped by funding shortfalls.

Older people without a service to support them are facing increased risk, Age Concern says. Abuse is less likely to be reported, and other agencies will have to fill the gaps.

"Around the country there are local Age Concerns and other organisations which could be providing support services; they just need the funding and the approval to get started," Liz Baxendine says.

The 12 key gaps

1. Northland - no service

2. Rodney - no service

3. Thames-Coromandel - no service

4. Rotorua - no service

5. Whakatane and Opotiki - no service

6. Marlborough - no service

7. Ashburton - no service

8. Wairoa - no service

9. Auckland – under-funded for the population covered

10. Canterbury – under-funded for the population covered

11. Counties-Manukau – under-funded for the population covered

12. Wellington – under-funded for the population covered

We are trying to fill these gaps. This is an important social justice and welfare issue. Older people must be able to get the help they need wherever they live.

More information about elder abuse and neglect prevention:

http://www.ageconcern.org.nz/safety/elder-abuse/how-common-elder-abuse

ENDS

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