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Elderly Abused
The Advertiser
November
20, 2008
Australia
AS many as one in every 20 elderly Bendigo residents experiences some form of abuse or neglect.
The shocking statistic had led to an appeal for greater community action, with a report launched yesterday by Seniors Rights Victoria and the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre.
The groups are calling for a joint response from the Federal Government and the banking and financial sector to the hidden problem of financial elderly abuse within the community.
“Financial abuse is reported in almost 50 per cent of calls to our service,’’ Seniors Rights Victoria manager Julie Nelson said.
“Elderly abuse is characterised by occurring within a relationship of trust where the older person is relying on a family member or trusted person to act in their best interests.’’ Seniors Rights Victoria provides phone advice and referral to people who are suffering elderly abuse and neglect in the community. It also provides support and advocacy, and legal services. Research has found that 1-5 per cent of older people experience abuse or neglect.
The report was launched in Bendigo by a member of the federal Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Kelvin Thomson, who said the Rudd Government was considering the report.
“It is the Government’s view that it is entirely unacceptable to give older Australians a weaker position because of their age,’’ he said.
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