Signs of elder abuse in spotlight
The serious, but often hidden, issue of elder abuse in New Zealand is top of mind for the Age Concern Otago team, which is working hard to keep older people in the region safe.
This Sunday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to shine a light on the mistreatment of older people and call for collective action to stand up for seniors and ensure they can live with dignity, respect and safety.
Age Concern Otago chief executive Mike Williams, who took up the role in January, said the organisation's dedicated Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) team were busier than ever.
The EARS team of four social workers, led by Central Otago-based Rosanna Pritchard, supported 387 older people last year experiencing alleged elder abuse across the region. Types of abuse reported included emotional, financial and physical abuse, along with neglect — often at the hands of those they trusted most.
Across New Zealand, Age Concern was involved in 2817 cases of elder abuse from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Of those allegedly causing the harm, 88% were family members, of which 50% were adult children or grandchildren.
Age Concern New Zealand chief executive Karen Billings-Jensen said elder abuse was not just a private issue, it was "a community issue".
"On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we urge all New Zealanders to learn the signs of abuse, speak up and support older people in their lives and communities."
This year, Age Concern's theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is "spot the signs". It calls on individuals, whānau, community groups, organisations and businesses to help raise awareness and take appropriate action.
Ms Pritchard said the Age Concern Otago EARS team, which comprised Dunedin-based social workers Tim Ollerenshaw and Trici Grothe-Robertson, Oamaru-based social worker Sharon McGregor and Dunedin-based community social worker Annie Nevin, were dealing with increasingly complex cases of elder abuse.
"Unfortunately, older people are finding that the health services and other back-stops they may have relied on in the past have vanished," she said.
In addition, more older people were living in trailers and caravans and moving around more, which made it difficult to maintain support networks. Families were also often scattered around New Zealand and overseas.
On the flip side of the coin, some older people were finding themselves caring for adult children who had returned home due to economic circumstances or issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.
"Financial abuse is a major issue — we are seeing lots and lots of money being taken from older people," she said.
"And this is really distressing for our clients — these are people that they love and should be able to trust."
When there were difficulties with family members, the Age Concern team could be a buffer and provide confidential support.
"Our focus is on the older person and what they want and need — that is the most important thing."
Ms Pritchard said it was encouraging that growing numbers of older people were reaching out to report elder abuse and request support, along with reports by concerned friends, neighbours and family members.
EARS is also a member of the local Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke team, part of a national framework through which police, iwi and organisations work in partnership to reduce family harm.
Mr Williams said the demand on the Otago EARS team, and the complex nature of many situations, meant the service was under increasing pressure.
"Complex situations take longer to unravel and deal with, which adds to the pressure," he said.
"We are already working at capacity and are acutely aware that more people are at crisis point and needing our help."
Mr Williams came to the Age Concern Otago chief executive role after a long career in the mental health, prisoner rehabilitation and children's health and wellbeing fields.
"Since I have been working with the Age Concern team, I have been impressed by the heart and passion they have for our older people," he said.
"This is a great organisation, and the services we offer are highly valued by the community." How You Can Help:
• Learn to spot the signs of elder abuse and how to respond.
• Check in with older friends, neighbours and whānau.
• If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, contact Age Concern's Elder Abuse Response Service at 0800652105 (weekdays 8.30am-4.30pm) or the national 24-hour helpline at 0800EANOTOK (08003266865), for free, confidential support.
• More information on the free, confidential Age Concern Otago Elder abuse Response Service (EARS) can be found online at ageconcernotago.com
brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz
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