Older people are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The abuser is usually a member of the older person’s family or a person employed in a position of trust. The abuser may be struggling to cope with being a caregiver or could be having troubles of their own that are putting him or her under pressure, such as a substance abuse problem or financial difficulties. The abuse can be:

• Physical - rough handling, being hit or forcefully confined or restrained
  
• Emotional - being insulted, threatened, frightened or called names that hurt
  
• Sexual - being threatened or forced to be sexually intimate
  
• Financial - having to sign over or give money or other possessions
  
• Neglect - can be intentional or unintentional but may involve the denial of food, medical care, shelter or social contact.

Abuse can be a hidden problem, compounded by the isolation, communication difficulties and lack of support facing some older people. But there are a number of agencies that can assist and also provide education and training. Throughout New Zealand, there are 22 Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services part-funded by Family and Community Services. This link to Age Concern contains their addresses.

If a person is in immediate danger, they should call the police.

If older people are in a close personal relationship with their abuser, they may be able to obtain a protection order.

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