Elderly made nearly 1,900 abuse allegations in 2009

Up to 1,870 allegations of abuse were made by senior citizens last year, half of whom reported being targetted by a son or daughter.

The HSE's Elder Abuse Report reveals that a third of victims said they were subjected to psychological torment, a fifth said they suffered neglect and 14% said they were physically abused.

The HSE's Paschal Moynihan says "financial abuse" has also emerged as a common form of abuse.