What is elder abuse and financial exploitation?
Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust which results in harm to an older person. It can be physical, sexual, financial, and psychological and/or neglect.
Abuse can include:
- intentionally hurting a person e.g., slapping, hitting or mistreating someone
- intentionally damaging another person’s property e.g., hurting pets or breaking belongings
- verbal intimidation, humiliation, harassment or threats of physical harm or abandonment
- unwanted sexual approaches or indecent behaviour towards another person
- preventing a person from seeing others or denying them the right to make their own decisions
- intentional or unintentional failure to provide adequate care.
Financial exploitation
- the illegal or improper use, or misappropriation of a person’s property or finances
- forced changes to a will and other legal documents
- denying someone the right to access and control their personal funds
- unfair or fraudulent practices relating to retirement villages, age rental accommodation or residential parks.
Risk factors
- an increased level of dependence on others for assistance with personal care
- carer stress
- a history of domestic and family violence
- social isolation
- drug and alcohol dependence
- mental health issues and cognitive impairment such as dementia
- financial dependency upon an older person.
Why is abuse unreported?
- feelings of shame
- fear of retaliation
- the involvement of family members
- fear of institutionalisation
- the victim’s failure to identify the situation as abusive
- the perception that the abuse is deserved.