Elder Abuse – it is alive and well

Last week a friend told me about a friend of theirs.

John* is 93 years old and has lived alone in his modest suburban home for many years. Being 93, John’s health is not great, and he recently had a couple of stints in the hospital while treating flu-like symptoms. It is getting to that point where John may benefit from moving into an aged care facility, or at least gaining access to home care.

My friend was telling me that John has no working heating in his home, and his blankets are threadbare. And there are real concerns about the quality of the meals John eats because he is left to his own resources to prepare them. No Meals on Wheels for John. But like so many people his age, John goes about his life as best he can – he does not complain.

John’s closest relative is his 60-something-year-old unmarried son who lives a couple of hundred kilometres away. He rarely visits his father. The son will be the sole beneficiary of John’s estate.

The son exerts significant control over his father, restricting what he spends his pension on. Sadly, John will not spend money without his son’s approval. The son appears very keen on preserving his potential inheritance, to John’s detriment.

This situation has all the signs of elder abuse.

But, elder abuse is not just financial, it can take a variety of forms. So, what is elder abuse?

• Elder financial abuse involves the illegal or improper use of an older person’s money or belongings for personal gain.
• It can take various forms, including restricting a person’s access to their own money, theft, overcharging, fraudulent inheritance, and even controlling someone’s internet identity.
• Victims often hesitate to take action due to shame or fear of losing care and support from the abuser.
  
  

• Older adults who rely on personal care, recent widows/widowers, and those in long-term care facilities are at risk.
• Cognitive impairment, poor mental health, and physical disabilities can make individuals more vulnerable.
• Helpers, including family members, with access to homes and assets (including online banking) may exploit their position.
  
  

• It has been estimated that 15% of older Australians suffer elder abuse each year. That equates to 630,000 people aged 65 or older^[1],
• The pandemic has exacerbated this issue, as more people rely on assistance and use the internet for the first time.
  
  

• It is everyone’s responsibility to be vigilant and look for signs of financial abuse being suffered by vulnerable clients.
• Educate clients and their families about common red flags, such as sudden changes in financial behaviour, missing funds, or unexplained transactions.
• Encourage open communication and empower victims to seek help.

Like many forms of abuse, elder abuse is an insidious blight on our society that needs to be eliminated.

Remember, addressing elder abuse requires a collective effort from legal professionals, financial planners, caregivers, and communities. By raising awareness and taking proactive steps, we can protect our elderly population and safeguard their well-being.

* not his real name
^[1] 3200_eaaa_ournationsshame_report_7.pdf