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Elder Abuse

Definition Of Elder Abuse

Single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action accruing within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person or violates their human and civil rights.

Most people do not experience abuse; however, an older person can be harmed or abused by others. Abuse can take more than one form at any given time.

Abuse can be:

  • Physical
  • Financial
  • Material
  • Sexual
  • Psychological
  • Neglect and acts of omission
  • Discriminatory abuse
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Any individual or organisation may be guilty of abuse. Most often it is someone well known to the older person – a relationship where there is an expectation of trust.

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Abuse can happen anywhere – at home, within residential, daycare or hospital settings or public places.
If you have experienced any form of abuse you should speak to:

  • Someone you trust
  • G.P. or Public Health Nurse
  • Local Garda Station
  • The H.S.E. Helpline 1850 241 850
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All cases of alleged Elder Abuse are treated seriously, dealt with in confidence and, as much as possible, handled in a way that respects the wishes of the older person.

The overall aim is to ensure the safety and well-being of an older person while providing support to stop the abusive behaviour.

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About the Project

Elder abuse is recognised increasingly as a socially and culturally constructed phenomen. However, older people’s understanding of abuse and how these understandings affect their interactions with existing support services remain relatively unknown. Supports and services in response to this issue have traditionally been developed by professionals and practitioners. The current project addressed this gap in knowledge by being the first study carried out in the island of Ireland to directly consult older people on their perceptions of elder abuse. This report documents the findings of eight focus groups which were carried out across Ireland between October 2010 and February 2011. A Total of 58 people aged 65 years and over took part in the research.
For further information please click here

Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland – Insights into Elder Abuse.

Studies on the prevalence of elder abuse on the island of Ireland estimate that 2.2% in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and 2% in Northern Ireland (NI) experience abuse (Naughton et al, 2010; O’Keefe et al, 2007). An ageing population means that the number of people who will experience abuse when they grow older is set to increase unless measures to tackle elder abuse are introduced.

In ROI, a Working Group on Elder Abuse published the Protecting Our Future strategy in 2002. In NI, the policy guide Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults was published in 2006. While these policy and practice responses are welcome, little is known about older people’s understanding of abuse and how this understanding affects how they utilise support services. To address this deficit, CARDI funded a study which set out to consult olderpeople on their perceptions of elder abuse. This briefing is based on the findingsof “A Total Indifference to Our Dignity”: older people’s understandings of elder abuse, a study led by Dr Emer Begley, Age Action Ireland as well as drawing on information collated by CARDI. It discusses how elder abuse is defined, looks at the views on abuse of older people themselves and examines the policy implications of the study.

For further information please contact CARDI on + 353 1 4786308

Older People’s Understandings of Elder Abuse

A Total Indifference to our Dignity
Age Action

 

 

 

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There’s No Excuse for Elder Abuse:

An information booklet on elder abuse and how to prevent it.
Please click on the link to view or download the PDF document:There’s No Excuse for Elder Abuse
If you need to speak to the senior case worker regarding Elder Abuse contact Ms. Maire Brady, HSE CHO Area 8, Old St. Mary’s Hospital, Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth Tel: 041 9832963 ext 2127 Email: maire.brady@hse.ie