Although elder abuse has always existed in society, it is only in the past 30 years or so that is has been recognised as a problem that requires committed action. The first reported case of elder abuse in Ireland was in 1987.
Elder abuse is the abuse of someone aged 65 or over and it occurs within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust. It is a single or a repeated act, or a lack of appropriate action, that causes harm or distress to the older person or that violates their human and civil rights
(Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse: Protecting our Future 2002, Cited in www.hse.ie
According to the HSE there were nearly 2500 incidents of elder abuse reported in 2014. Elder abuse can take many forms, and these include:
Physical
Sexual
Psychological
Financial or material abuse
Neglect
Discriminatory abuse, including ageism
National centre for the protection of older people (accessed 22/6/15) http://www.ncpop.ie/whatiselderabuse There are many ways in which an older person can be harmed or abused. An older person may experience more than one form of abuse at any given time. Elder abuse can lead to physical injuries – ranging from minor scratches and bruises to broken bones and head injuries leading to lasting disabilities and sometimes psychological consequences, including depression and anxiety. For older people, the consequences of abuse can be especially serious because their bones are more brittle and convalescence is longer. Even relatively minor injuries can cause serious and permanent damage, or even death. www.worldhealthorganisation “The mistreatment of older people is now viewed beyond isolated family violence and is identified as a human and civil rights issue in its own right” www.worldhealthorganisation Most alleged abuse is committed by family members; however other people may also abuse older people, such as professional staff, paid care workers, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends and associates.
Abuse can take place in any setting. It can happen when an older person lives alone or with a relative, within residential or day-care settings, in hospitals, home support services and other places which are assumed to be safe, or in public places.
If a person is being abused, or if someone is concerned about abuse, or suspect that someone they know is being abused, they should contact a health professional such as GP, public health nurse or social worker. The HSE has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service, with Senior Case Workers in Elder Abuse now working in most Local Health Office Areas. HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850
An independent authority HIQA (Health Information Quality Authority) was set up in 2007 and is responsible for driving quality, safety and accountability of all residential care services for older people. Residential care services are required to meet certain standard and include rules about the standard of accommodation and care that is expected. All residential care services, including public, private and voluntary nursing homes are subject to this independent registration and inspection. HIQA and its powers are governed by the Health Act 2007.
There is also a senior helpline 1850 440 444 which provides opportunities for older people to talk to someone of their own age group. Callers can talk to one of the older volunteers in the strictest of confidence
www.hiqa.ie (accessed 22/6/15) www.hse.ie (accessed 22/6/15) www.ncpop.ie/whatiselderabuse (accessed 22/6/15) www.thirdageireland.ie/what-we-do/14/senior-helpline (accessed 22/6/15) www.worldhealthorganisation (accessed 22/6/15)
If a person is being abused, or if someone is concerned about abuse, or suspect that someone they know is being abused, they should contact a health professional such as GP, public health nurse or social worker. The HSE has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service, with Senior Case Workers in Elder Abuse now working in most Local Health Office Areas. HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850 There is also a senior helpline 1850 440 444 which provides opportunities for older people to talk to someone of their own age group. Callers can talk to one of the older volunteers in the strictest of confidence
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