Elder Abuse is behaviour or lack of appropriate action, occurring within a relationship of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. The older person and the abuser are frequently members of the same family or they can be a person employed in a position of trust.
What are the warning signs?
The following signs MAY indicate an older person is being abused:
• unexplained behaviour, sleeping or eating habits
• withdrawal and/or edginess
• fear of a particular person
• confusion
• unexplained injuries
• drowsiness (due to over-medication)
• recoiling from touch
• unusual withdrawals from bank accounts
• unpaid bills, lack of money for necessities.
There are many different types of Elder Abuse & several may be present at the same time, these include:
• Physical Abuse
• Psychological Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Neglect
• Sexual Abuse
• Institutional Abuse
How Age Concern Auckland can help:
Age Concern Auckland’s qualified and experienced staff have a wide knowledge of the needs of older people and their carers and will work closely with clients and relevant organisations to address elder abuse. Their service is free and confidential and their social workers are available for advice and individualised support.
You can also contact them for information on issues relating to abuse or arranging seminars and presentations on elder abuse and neglect prevention.
You can contact Age Concern Auckland’s Elder Abuse Response Service team on 09 820 0184. For more information about Age Concern Auckland visit www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz
Elder Abuse Case Study:
Financial Abuse – Walter’s* Story
Walter (85) and two of his friends, who all live in an Auckland retirement village complex, contacted Age Concern Auckland worried that the money in Walter’s bank account had reduced significantly over the last year. As a result, within a short time Walter would be unable to pay his monthly serviced apartment fee. For the past 3 years the bank account had been managed by Walter’s son.
Age Concern Auckland’s Elder Abuse Social Worker met with Walter and his friends to gather relevant facts and documents, investigate options and put a plan of action in place. Walter told her, his son does not see him often, and when he does, is stressed and never stays long. It was revealed the son had recently married and purchased a new house. Walter advised his bank had now stopped all access by his son to his account.
Age Concern Auckland’s Social Worker checked Walter’s current financial situation and confirmed he was able to pay his serviced apartment fees for six more months. It was important for the Social Worker to establish what the priorities were for Walter, as this would determine the plan of response. Walter’s priorities were to: (1) keep his relationship with his son (2) ensure his son’s career and marriage were not put at risk (3) be able to afford to stay in his serviced apartment.
After looking in detail at his bank documents, the Social Worker discovered that over 18 months $135,000 had gone from Walter’s bank account straight into his son’s bank account. The Social Worker met with Walter, outlining her findings and risks, and worked with him to develop a plan of response to address the financial abuse that had happened. Walter declined to involve the Police in the matter and it was agreed that Age Concern Auckland’s Social Worker would present known facts to Walter’s son, arrange a meeting between Walter and his son, obtain independent legal advice prior to this meeting, and broker a repayment plan.
In the initial call from Age Concern Auckland’s Social Worker Walter’s son admitted to taking the money and a meeting was organised with Walter to discuss this further. During this meeting, after an explanation and an apology, Walter’s son agreed to deposit $20,000 immediately into Walter’s bank account and to begin a weekly repayment plan. This has been done.
*client name changed to protect privacy.