A study by Age Concern of elderly New Zealanders who have been abused says the majority of them were abused in their own homes by family members. 

The report is based on 1,288 cases of elder abuse or neglect reported to Age Concern between 2002 - 2004. Age Concern says more than half of the cases were psychological abuse and almost as many were material or financial abuse.

The majority of abusers were aged between 35 to 44 and were family members.

The organisation says there are many more older people who are being abused or neglected who don't come forward. The Minister of Senior Citizens Ruth Dyson says $3 million has been allocated to set up prevention services and increase public awareness of the problem.