Age Concern media release 27 September 2010

Age Concern Awareness Week – We can all stop elder abuse

Age Concern is using the first weekday of its Awareness Week to remind everyone that it is okay to help older people who are being abused or neglected.

“Elder abuse and neglect is happening to older people in our community. The people involved could be neighbours, friends or family members,” Age Concern New Zealand speaker Jayne McKendry says.

To combat the problem, elder abuse and neglect prevention services are available in 26 locations; most provided by local Age Concerns.

Older people who have experienced abuse often say things like…

“It was wrong that my son was pressuring me for money all the time, and my daughter told me that I needed to look after myself too. She told me it was ok to ask for help, and that it didn’t mean I didn’t love him anymore. She helped me to phone Age Concern. I am so glad I did. They have been just wonderful.”

Jayne McKendry says, “Every older person has the right to live free from abuse.

“This can take many different forms. It can be threats or coercion; physical abuse – hitting older people, or locking them in; depriving them of social contact or forcing them to live in unsafe or unclean conditions. It can be financial abuse – using their money or possessions without their consent."

Age Concern has found that elder abuse happens in any setting: in older people's own homes, retirement villages, and rest homes and hospitals.
Research by the ‘It’s Not Ok’ campaign has shown that New Zealanders want to help in family violence situations but aren’t sure what to do.

“A lot of the elder abuse Age Concern sees happens in families, hidden from the rest of the community,” Jayne McKendry says. “Older people tell us that having someone else beside them, encouraging them to speak out, letting them know it is ok to ask for help, makes a huge difference.”

For Age Concern Awareness Week, Age Concerns around the country are providing information, events and information about, and for, older people. Friday 1 October will feature celebrations of the International Day of Older Persons.

ENDS

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