World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Sunday

She was a formerly active and independent 70 year old but is now afraid to leave her home after being verbally and emotionally abused by her 40 year old son. Psychological abuse such as this is the focus of this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The Families Commission is committed to preventing family violence and is supporting Age Concern to promote World Elder Abuse Day through a series of seminars over the coming week.

Chief Commissioner Rajen Prasad will speak at the seminars in Hamilton and Auckland about how abusive treatment of older people can be prevented.

The Commission recently released a research report Elder Abuse and Neglect – exploration of risk and protective factors. The researchers spoke with older people, caregivers and support workers and found isolation, poor mental or physical health and stressed families all contribute to elder abuse and neglect. Other risk factors include family members with mental health or substance abuse issues, and greed.

An information guide linked to the report is now available and provides advice to older people as well as those caring for them on elder abuse and neglect; the risks and protective factors; and incorporates guidelines on how to prevent it. The sheet is being made widely available to organisations working with older people and it can also be ordered from the Families Commission.

Dr Prasad says, “This study, and another we funded that looked at social and family connections of older people, shows how important it is for society to support and value the role of older people. I would also encourage older people to develop good relationships with their families and if necessary seek outside advice when making any major changes to the financial arrangements.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media