It’s estimated that each year, 15% of older people experience elder abuse. This is an unacceptable violation of the rights of older people. Everyone has a responsibility to help stop elder abuse by recognising the signs of abuse, reporting it, and supporting the older person to get help.
Elder abuse is an action, threat or failure to act that causes harm or distress to an older person. It can happen once or repeatedly. The abuser is usually a family member, carer or provider – someone that the older person should be able to trust.
There are many types of elder abuse:
As a family member, friend or professional, you may suspect or even see elder abuse happening. Signs of possible elder abuse include:
If you or someone you know is at risk of or experiencing abuse, there is help available:
Aged care providers who become aware of elder abuse must report it under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS). SIRS is a government initiative that requires providers to record and manage serious incidents in residential aged care, including unexpected death, financial coercion and neglect. Elder abuse must be reported, even if the person does not give permission for this.