Eight cases of elder abuse reported every day, says HSE

Around eight cases of elder abuse are reported every day to the HSE, it has emerged.

A record 2,592 referrals of abuse cases were received by the HSE elder abuse service last year, up 5% on 2013.

Psychological abuse was the most frequently reported form of abuse, at 29%, while one in five referrals (21%) related to financial abuse.

There were more than 300 cases of physical abuse reported to the health authority last year, a form of abuse that accounted for more than one in 10 (12%) of all cases.

Most of the referrals involved women who were over 80 years old.

Neglect was the form of abuse complained about in 15% of referrals while self-neglect — elderly people expressing concern that they are unable to look after themselves, accounted for 21% of cases.

Almost one in three cases are referred by public health nurses, followed by hospitals (14%) and family (13%).

More older people are complaining that they are suffering abuse — more than one in four (26%) raised concerns last year, compared to 19% in 2013.

In almost half of the alleged cases (49%) the perpetrators were adult children and in one in five cases the partner, husband or wife was blamed.

HSE specialist in services for older persons, Paschal Moynihan, said most elder abuse stemmed from a lack of respect — older people were seen as deserving less respect, or not having the same rights as other people.

“We would encourage anyone who has a concern about abuse of an older person to contact their GP, public health nurse or any health-care worker,” he said.

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust and which causes harm or distress to an older person or violates their human and civil rights.

Age Action’s head of advocacy and communications, Justin Moran, said the figures drove home the urgency of the problem .

Mr Moran said the HSE elder abuse service should be expanded, with more dedicated case workers available to help vulnerable older people.

A recent survey by Age Action together with Ulster Bank, found that 45% of bank customer staff have dealt with suspected cases of elder financial abuse.

Almost all of the bank staff surveyed had dealt with at least one case over the previous 12 months.

Kathleen Lynch, the minister for primary care, social care, and mental health, said increasing awareness and the fact that the HSE has established clear mechanisms to address the issue might be a factor in the increase in the number of referrals.

“The instinct of every decent person is to protect those who are vulnerable and any incidents of elder abuse are accordingly abhorrent,”said Ms Lynch.

“It is concerning that incidences of abuse increases with the age of those affected, as vulnerability can increase with age, particularly if frailty, isolation, or cognitive difficulties are presenting challenges.”