12 May 2021
Adults abusing their own vulnerable parents … it’s a shocking and extremely sad indictment on society.
In South Australia, financial and psychological abuse are the most common forms of elder abuse, with older women more likely to experience abuse from their adult children.
Around one in 20 older Australians is experiencing some form of abuse from someone they know and trust, often a member of their own family.
Every year, approximately 5% of older people will experience some form of mistreatment, abuse, neglect, by someone known and trusted to them. For every reported case, another five cases remain hidden and unreported.
SA’s Office for Ageing Well continues to promote awareness of elder abuse, this week launching the seventh annual Stop Elder Abuse campaign which will run for six weeks, until 20 June.
The ANMF (SA Branch) has for years been an impassioned advocate for the rights and protection of the elderly through our aged care campaigns, calling for greater transparency and improved staff and skills mix ratios in nursing homes to guard against abuse.
In this year’s Stop Elder Abuse campaign, the focus is on older people’s rights – the right to safety, dignity and autonomy – to be safe, to be treated in a way that makes them feel worthwhile, and to be free to live the life they choose.
People experiencing elder abuse may display fear, sadness and neglect, amongst other signs, and abuse can also be physical, sexual, chemical and emotional.
It is vital that families, friends and the broader community respect older people’s rights and, if abuse is suspected, do something about it, in a way that upholds those rights.
If people do have concerns, call the SA Abuse Prevention Phone Line on 1800 372 310 for free, confidential advice and support, or to make a report to the Adult Safeguarding Unit.
For more information go to
www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/stopelderabuse.