HSE training to detect elderly abuse

THE Health Service Executive is to train health and community professionals on how to detect the abuse of up to 20,000 elderly people who come into their care every year.

The abuse can include physical, psychological, financial or even sexual abuse. It is not confined to institutional abuse as highlighted by the Leas Cross case, but can also be inflicted by those closest to the person such as a family member.

Of the 2,600 calls made to Age Action Ireland’s helpline last year, up to 1,000 calls were linked to elder abuse. It has called for legislation to safeguard the independence of elderly people who suffer abuse, ideally where the person would not have to make a formal charge against a family member or carer.