HUMAN rights do not diminish as people get older – and everyone has the right to live with dignity and respect.
That was the clear message on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, amplified globally through the United Nations and reflected locally when Gannawarra Shire Council hosted morning tea and adorned the memorial municipal chambers with purple ribbons.
Brian Gibson was asked to release purple balloons to indicate local support for the anti-abuse campaign.
“It is not only children and women who suffer abuse, but older people too, often at the hands of those known to them,” he said.
“Older people should be able to live in safety and to be able to report incidences where this is not happening.”
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
The latest figures compiled by the National Ageing Research Institute of Seniors Rights Victoria data show that financial abuse and psychological/emotional abuse together are the most common forms of abuse reported by older Victorians.
More than 92 per cent of abuse is perpetrated by persons related to the older person or in a de facto relationship and 66.8 per cent of abuse is perpetrated by a child of the older person.
Warning signs of elder abuse may include an older person seeming fearful, anxious or isolated.
There may be injuries, or an absence of personal care. Disappearance of possessions, unexplained financial transactions, and changes to a will, title or other documents are also of concern, as are arguments with a caregiver. To guard against elder abuse, older people should make sure their financial, medical, legal and other affairs are in order. They must also be empowered to recognise signs of elder abuse, and speak out.
Older Victorians experiencing elder abuse can get help by calling Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821 Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm.
